Key Points
- Islamabad signals no space for engagement with militant groups
- Pakistan cites sharp rise in attacks from Afghan soil
- Evidence shared in Istanbul talks, but no action followed
- Trade ties hinge on Kabul eliminating all terrorist sanctuaries
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday declared no talks with any terrorist organisation, underscoring a firm security-first policy in its dialogue with Kabul.
Pakistan remains open to talking with any legitimate Afghan government, but “will not hold dialogue with any terrorist groups, be it Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA),” said Tahir Hussain Andrabi, the Foreign Office Spokesperson, in his weekly media briefing.
Rising Concerns over Safe Havens
Andrabi warned that since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, there has been “a sharp surge in terrorist attacks emanating from Afghan soil” targeting Pakistan — a trend Islamabad says Kabul has failed to curb. He asserted that Pakistan had exercised maximum restraint despite suffering both civilian and military losses. For Pakistan, “human life is far more important than commerce,” he added, linking the issue of security directly to its suspension of transit trade with Afghanistan.
Diplomatic Frustration with Taliban Mediations
The spokesperson acknowledged Pakistan’s participation in three rounds of Istanbul talks mediated by Qatar and Türkiye. Andrabi praised the mediators for their “sincere efforts,” but expressed disappointment that Pakistan’s core security demands remain unaddressed. “Our expectation was that, over time, the Taliban regime would be able to control these attacks and take concrete actions against the banned TTP,” he said.
He criticised the Afghan Taliban for framing terrorism emanating from their soil as a “humanitarian issue,” arguing that such characterisation was an attempt to portray militants as refugees rather than security threats.
Evidence Shared, but Action Still Elusive
Andrabi noted that Pakistan presented “undeniable evidence” of cross-border terrorist activity during the Istanbul discussions. However, Islamabad contends that the Taliban used the talks to prolong a temporary ceasefire without delivering “concrete and verifiable actions” against terrorist groups. The FO maintains that until Afghanistan dismantles all “terrorist sanctuaries” within its territory, trade and transit agreements will remain on hold.
Sovereignty and National Security
The spokesperson warned that a “strong lobby” within parts of the Afghan Taliban, allegedly backed by foreign actors, seeks to fuel tensions with Pakistan. He reiterated that “anyone harbouring, abetting or financing” groups like TTP or BLA is not a friend of Pakistan.
Spokesperosn also made an offer
“Pakistan is ready to receive any Pakistani living in Afghanistan … provided they are handed over at the border crossing … and not hurled across the border fully equipped with sophisticated weapons and equipment.”
Border Tensions and Ceasefire Doubts
Pakistan’s firm stance comes amid broader bilateral strain. Earlier rounds of talks, including a Doha-mediated ceasefire, had raised hopes. However, Islamabad now says that the Afghan Taliban only engaged to extend the truce rather than address extremist networks.
The Foreign Office reiterated that the way forward depends on Kabul taking firm, verifiable steps to end cross-border militant threats and fulfil its counterterrorism commitments. Thus, the ball is in Afghan Taliban’s court.
Indian Propaganda and Regional Security
Andrabi rejected India’s claims regarding nuclear tests, describing recent statements by US President Donald Trump on nuclear tests as “false and baseless propaganda.” He confirmed that Pakistan last conducted nuclear tests in May 1998 and criticised India’s record on nuclear safety and security, noting that, last year, Californium stolen from the Bhabha Nuclear reactor was being sold on the black market, an issue that the international agencies must address.
On reports of a meeting between Sardar Yasir Ilyas, former President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Israeli Minister of Tourism Haim Katz, the spokesperson said there was no official information. If the meeting took place, it was without formal permission or government sanction.
Criticism of India’s Narrative
The spokesperson criticised India, saying its leadership was using terrorism to divert attention from internal challenges. “This matter should be viewed through the lens of security and terrorism, not politics, regional issues, or Hindutva ideology. India is spreading misleading narratives after the blasts,” Andrabi said.
‘India’s boycott can’t halt court proceedings on IWT’
According to the spokesperson, Pakistan has taken note of the ruling issued by the Court of Arbitration in the process of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) arbitration. “India’s boycott could not halt the proceedings.
“Further court hearings will take place in Vienna from November 17 to 21,” Andrabi said, while affirming that Pakistan would continue to participate in the proceedings in good faith.
