Pakistan Demands Action Against Terrorism for Improved Afghan Relations

In a clear signal that tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan remain unresolved, the Foreign Office (FO) of Pakistan reiterated the necessity for the Taliban to take decisive action against terrorist groups operating within its borders. This announcement comes despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to ease the strained relations, including recent visits from Chinese officials.

During his final briefing as spokesperson, Tahir Andrabi emphasized that any meaningful progress in relations hinges on the Afghan Taliban's willingness to act against groups such as the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). "External facilitation cannot replace concrete steps taken by Kabul against terrorist infrastructure," he stated.

Andrabi's comments follow the release of a UN report highlighting the Taliban's relocation of approximately 2,000 TTP fighters, a move that Islamabad views as insufficient. Although Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has publicly warned against TTP attacks on Pakistan, the ongoing support for the TTP remains a significant concern for Islamabad.

As diplomatic activities continue, including an invitation extended to the Afghan ambassador to speak at the National Defence University, the Pakistani government remains skeptical about the implications of such engagements. Andrabi downplayed the importance of these interactions in evaluating the state of bilateral relations, asserting, "We should not read too much into this interaction."

Furthermore, the Foreign Office addressed the escalating tensions between the US and Iran, asserting that this should not be interpreted as a failure of Pakistan's mediation efforts. Andrabi expressed hope that the involved parties would return to dialogue once the current escalatory phase subsides. "We remain engaged and positive about the parties eventually resuming talks," he stated.

On another front, Pakistan called on India to fully adhere to the Indus Waters Treaty, criticizing New Delhi's rejection of a recent arbitration ruling. Andrabi expressed concerns that India's approach to international law, treating it as a convenience, could undermine the integrity of treaties and dispute-resolution mechanisms. "India cannot disregard binding treaty obligations simply because their outcomes are not to its liking," he warned.

Source: www.dawn.com