ISLAMABAD: A senior Afghan Taliban-linked figure’s claim that Pakistan is playing a “double role” in the US-Iran crisis is misleading and lacks context, a security expert said, as Islamabad continues efforts to support dialogue between Washington and Tehran.
The allegation was made by Qari Saeed Khosty, a senior Afghan Taliban figure, who shared a CBS News claim suggesting Pakistan had allowed Iranian military aircraft to park on its airfields while positioning itself as a diplomatic conduit between Iran and the United States.
Verdict: Misleading
Pakistan’s Foreign Office has rejected the CBS report as “misleading and sensationalised.” The CBS report itself cited unnamed US officials and said Iranian aircraft were “potentially” shielded from American strikes, but did not publicly present evidence proving that Pakistan provided operational military support to Iran.
Security expert Syed Muhammad Ali rejected the allegation, saying Pakistan’s role at this critical juncture is important because it enjoys confidence in both Washington and Tehran.
“Pakistan is one of the few countries that can speak to both sides with credibility. Attempts to damage that role are irresponsible and serve those who do not want diplomacy to succeed,” he said.
Ali said the CBS claim appeared aimed at undermining US President Donald Trump’s confidence in Pakistan’s mediation efforts.
“This is a ridiculous claim designed to reduce President Trump’s confidence in Pakistan at a time when Pakistan is trying to help prevent a wider regional conflict,” he said.
He added that the aircraft mentioned in such reports, including C-130-type aircraft, are commonly used for military transport and logistics. Historical US records also show Iran acquired C-130 aircraft during the Shah era, decades before the 1979 revolution.
Taliban-linked voices
Official sources said Taliban-linked voices accusing Pakistan of duplicity were ignoring Kabul’s own record. They said the Afghan Taliban continues to give diplomatic assurances while terrorist groups such as the TTP, Al Qaeda and anti-Pakistan elements remain a major regional security concern.
“Kabul claims Afghan territory is not used against Pakistan, yet anti-Pakistan terrorist groups continue to operate from Afghan soil,” an official source said.
The sources said the Taliban fights ISKP because it threatens Taliban rule, but treats groups targeting Pakistan differently.
Official sources also rejected accusations of a Pakistani “double game,” arguing that the Afghan Taliban itself has repeatedly shown contradictions between its public assurances and actions on the ground.
“It promised amnesty, moderation and international responsibility, yet former officials, women, journalists and minorities continue to face repression,” the sources said.
“Therefore, Taliban-linked voices accusing Pakistan of a ‘double game’ are projecting their own contradictions. The issue is not Pakistan’s duplicity, but Kabul’s refusal to act like a responsible state,” the sources added.
Security expert Syed Muhammad Ali also pointed to a broader media and geopolitical context surrounding the CBS report.
“Larry Ellison, Oracle co-founder and father of Skydance chief David Ellison, donated $16.6 million to Friends of the Israel Defense Forces in 2017. Israeli-linked interests are present within sections of the US media landscape, and view Pakistan’s rising diplomatic role with suspicion,” he said.
The fact-check shows the Afghan Taliban-linked allegation is not supported by verified public evidence and appears to project Kabul’s own contradictions onto Pakistan.
