ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has cautiously responded to a proposal by the Taliban government’s Interim Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani to establish a dedicated mechanism for communication with Islamabad, but has made clear that any renewed dialogue must be backed by concrete action against terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan.
According to Pakistani security officials, “since the Taliban takeover, Pakistan has consistently pursued dialogue and diplomatic engagement, repeatedly calling on Kabul to ensure that Afghan soil will not be used by terrorists against Pakistan.
However, despite sustained outreach, Kabul has failed to translate its assurances into effective and transparent action against TTP and other terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory.
“Since the Taliban takeover, Pakistan has consistently pursued dialogue and diplomatic engagement, repeatedly calling on Kabul to ensure that Afghan soil will not be used by terrorists against Pakistan. However, despite sustained outreach, Kabul has failed to translate its assurances into effective and transparent action against TTP and other terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory,” the officials said.
Pakistan Says Diplomatic Channels Were Exhausted
The officials said Pakistan had pursued extensive diplomatic engagement before resorting to what they described as precision counter-terrorism strikes in self-defence.
They cited four Foreign Minister visits, two Defence Minister and Intelligence Chief’s missions, five Special Representative visits, five Secretary-level meetings, one National Security Advisor’s visit, eight Joint Coordination Committee meetings, 225 Border Flag Meetings, 836 protest notes and 13 demarches.
“Pakistan has exhausted all available diplomatic channels before resorting to precision retaliatory counter terrorist strikes in exercise of self-defence,” they said.
Islamabad Wants Verifiable Action
Pakistan said it remained willing to resolve differences through state-to-state dialogue but stressed that any new mechanism must be based on measurable commitments rather than assurances.
“Pakistan has always remained open to resolving differences peacefully through state-to-state dialogue,” the officials said.
“Any renewed mechanism must be underpinned by a clear Taliban commitment that Afghan soil will not be used by terrorists against Pakistan, supported by tangible, verifiable counter-terrorism action and effective border management.”
The officials said Islamabad had taken note of Haqqani’s proposal for a dedicated bilateral mechanism to address contentious issues.
TTP And BLA Remain Central Concerns
Pakistan has specifically demanded action against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which Islamabad accuses of using Afghan territory to plan and launch attacks inside Pakistan.
“Kabul must honour its international commitments, including those under the Doha framework, and ensure that Afghan soil is not used by hostile proxies, particularly TTP and BLA, against Pakistan,” the officials said.
They added that Pakistan remained prepared for institutional coordination with Kabul if it produced “tangible and verifiable counter-terrorism measures and effective border management”.
“Pakistan has always remained open to resolving differences peacefully through state-to-state dialogue. Any renewed mechanism must be underpinned by a clear Taliban commitment that Afghan soil will not be used by terrorists against Pakistan, supported by tangible, verifiable counter-terrorism action and effective border management.”
Dialogue Remains Possible
According to the security officials, “Pakistan notes the proposal by the Interim Afghan Government’s Interior Minister for a dedicated bilateral mechanism to address contentious issues.”
“Pakistan remains open to state-level dialogue; however, the sustainability of any mechanism will depend on tangible actions rather than assurances.
For any dialogue to take place, the Afghan Taliban must ensure that Afghan soil is not used to perpetrate terrorism against Pakistan,” security officials said.
“Pakistan remains ready for institutional coordination, provided it results in tangible and verifiable counter-terrorism measures and effective border management,” Pakistani security officials stressed.
