Pakistan has made it clear that its priority is the eradication of terrorism, dismissing conditions set by Afghanistan during recent high level negotiations.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director-General of the Inter-Services Public Relations ISPR, stated on 3rd November that the Afghan conditions hold no significance, emphasising that Pakistan’s security is guaranteed by its armed forces, not Afghanistan.
The statement follows a series of talks aimed at preventing cross-border terrorism. On 19th October, Pakistan & Afghanistan agreed to an immediate ceasefire in Doha, pledging to respect each other’s sovereignty.
A 2nd round of talks on 25th October
in Istanbul focused on Islamabad seeking a concrete mechanism to monitor Taliban actions &a ensure that terrorists do not use Afghan soil to strike Pakistan.
Lt Gen Chaudhry highlighted that Pakistan has as never celebrated the Taliban’s return to power & operations against banned terrorist groups, including TTP & the BLA, continue.
According to him, 1,667 terrorists have been Eliminated in ongoing counter-terrorism operations. “In Istanbul, the Afghan Taliban were clearly told they need to control terrorism. How they do it is their job,” he added, stressing that Pakistan would deal with terrorists according to its Constitution & laws.
The military also highlighted the link between criminal networks & terrorist organisations, noting that opium cultivation in Afghanistan generates between Rs1.8 to 2.5 million per acre for terrorist groups, with even warlords participating.
These networks are not only funding terrorism but are also smuggling drugs into Pakistan.
Journalists present at the closed-door ISPR briefing were shown evidence linking Afghan Taliban soldiers to terrorist activities in Pakistan, including soldiers carrying Afghan Army identification cards.
This evidence had been previously shared with the Afghan Taliban in Doha, underscoring Islamabad’s concerns.
Border tensions had escalated following attacks on Pakistan from Afghanistan on 11th October.
These skirmishes were compounded by mutual accusations, including claims of airstrikes by Pakistan into Afghan territory, which Islamabad neither confirmed nor denied. Pakistan also targeted Gul Bahadur group camps in Afghanistan during retaliatory strikes.
The temporary ceasefire reached in Doha, followed by talks in Istanbul, reflects efforts to stabilise the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, with Qatar and Turkey playing significant diplomatic roles. The focus remains on creating mechanisms for lasting peace while ensuring terrorists cannot exploit Afghan territory to attack Pakistan.
