- Islamabad rejects Kabul’s ‘continued patronage’ of terror outfits, demands verifiable action
- Officials presents concrete evidence of TTP and allied networks based on Afghan soil
- Officials say Taliban “following someone else’s agenda,” hinting at Indian involvement
- Islamabad warns of unilateral defensive steps if Kabul fails to curb terror proxies
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has conveyed a firm and final position to the Afghan Taliban regime during the second round of talks in Istanbul, declaring that Kabul’s continued tolerance and support for cross-border attacks and terrorism are “unacceptable,” senior security sources said on Sunday.
The crucial negotiations—mediated by Türkiye and Qatar—are aimed at defusing heightened tensions following the worst border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan since the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in 2021.
According to security officials, the Pakistani delegation, led by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, presented a clear stance: the Taliban’s support for militant outfits operating from Afghan soil cannot and will not be tolerated. Islamabad demanded “concrete, verifiable, and time-bound steps” from Kabul to eliminate all cross-border terrorist networks.
“The arguments being offered by the Taliban side are illogical and detached from ground realities,” one official said. “It appears they are pursuing someone else’s agenda — one that endangers peace in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the wider region.”
Officials underscored that further progress in the talks would depend on a constructive attitude from the Afghan side, noting that the Taliban remained reluctant to act against Fitna al-Khawarij, a state-designated term for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Pakistan’s delegation presented documented evidence of the presence and activities of Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan within Afghanistan, including intelligence showing that their leadership continues to receive protection from elements within the Taliban regime.
Officials further noted that the Taliban—being non-state actors who now wield state authority—appear unable to grasp the grave implications of supporting other non-state groups at the expense of formal bilateral relations. “Pakistan has stood by the Afghan people through decades of conflict and humanitarian crises,” one source added. “But it cannot tolerate terrorism emanating from their soil.”
The Pakistani delegation, according to officials, participated in the talks with “absolute clarity”, keeping discussions tightly focused on the single-point agenda of counterterrorism. “Pakistan made it clear that it would never engage with Fitna al-Khawarij and that the Taliban must decisively cut all support to the leadership of these proxies,” a senior security source said.
Officials also observed that the Taliban’s hesitation to comply — despite pressure and support for Pakistan’s position from Türkiye, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE — suggests that “their current policy may be influenced by India, which is seeking to reassert its presence in Afghanistan.”
Security sources cautioned that if the impasse persists, Pakistan might be forced to take unilateral defensive measures against the TTP to safeguard its sovereignty — an outcome that would carry serious consequences for both countries.
“Afghanistan, too, would face the fallout of such an escalation—for which the Taliban would bear full responsibility,” one source warned.
Officials reiterated that stability in the region hinges on the Taliban adopting a cooperative and practical approach and taking decisive action against all militant proxies operating from Afghan territory.
Earlier round of talks in Doha
The Istanbul meetings follow earlier Doha talks, during which both countries agreed to an immediate ceasefire after a week of heavy cross-border clashes. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had confirmed on X last Sunday that the ceasefire was “finalised” and that the next phase of dialogue would continue in Istanbul on October 25.
In Doha, Pakistan presented a single-point agenda focused on dismantling terrorist networks operating from Afghanistan—particularly the TTP and the Gul Bahadur faction, both blamed for multiple deadly attacks inside Pakistan in recent months.
On the Afghan side, the delegation was led by Acting Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob, accompanied by senior Taliban officials. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid later confirmed that the two sides had agreed on a “complete and meaningful ceasefire.”
Border clashes and escalation
Tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border escalated sharply on October 12, when the Afghan Taliban regime opened unprovoked fire at several locations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, triggering the deadliest exchange since 2021.
Security officials said the firing—across Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral, and Baramcha sectors—was aimed at facilitating the illegal entry of Khwarij (a term used for the banned TTP) into Pakistani territory.
“The Pakistan Army responded swiftly and decisively,” officials said, adding that retaliatory fire destroyed multiple Afghan border posts, resulting in heavy losses among Afghan soldiers and militants.
The clashes underscored Pakistan’s growing frustration over the Taliban’s failure to curb the TTP’s operations and cross-border infiltration.
Officials concluded that Pakistan’s position is now final and unambiguous: peace and partnership with Afghanistan depend entirely on Kabul’s willingness to eliminate terrorist safe havens and ensure that Afghan soil is never used against Pakistan again.
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