Pakistan stands firm against terrorist groups, presses Kabul for action

Pakistan has reaffirmed its position that it will not engage in talks with any terrorist group involved in attacks on its armed forces or civilians, expressing hope that Kabul will take action against the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi stated during a briefing o November 14 that terrorist attacks in Pakistan have increased since the Taliban came to power, Caliber.Az reports, citing Samaa.tv.

He noted that Pakistan is determined to protect its people and stressed that there are no divisions within Pakistan regarding its Afghanistan policy.

The spokesperson said Afghan authorities are attempting to portray acts of terrorism as a humanitarian issue. He further stated that Pakistan will not hold talks with any terrorist organisation, including Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and the Balochistan Liberation Army.

Andrabi added that there should be no sympathy for those who support terrorists, noting that Pakistan has shown maximum restraint. He dismissed statements coming from Afghanistan as empty rhetoric.

He underlined Pakistan’s unified approach to eliminating terrorism, saying that any claims of internal disagreement over its Afghanistan policy are propaganda spread by elements within the Taliban.

Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is an alliance of militant groups formed in 2007 under Baitullah Mehsud, created in response to Pakistani military operations against Al-Qaida-linked militants in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. The group seeks to overthrow the Pakistani state and impose a strict Deobandi-inspired interpretation of Islamic law, targeting Pakistani security forces and civilian infrastructure.

By some estimates, TTP has between 30,000 and 35,000 members and is rooted along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region.

TTP is designated as a terrorist organisation by international bodies and subject to sanctions under the UN Al-Qaida sanctions regime. 

By Jeyhun Aghazada