Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has dismissed the allegations made by Afghanistan’s acting Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Stanikzai, labeling them as baseless and an attempt to divert attention from core issues.
On social media platform X, Khawaja Asif pointed out that the claims were inconsistent with reality, highlighting a UN report that identifies over two dozen terrorist organizations operating in Afghanistan.
The minister stated that groups such as the TTP, Al-Qaeda, and other terror organizations are active within Afghanistan. He stressed that Pakistan has consistently urged the interim Afghan government to take action against these elements.
He also underlined the importance of Afghanistan ensuring that its territory is not used against other countries. Additionally, he called on the interim Afghan government to implement practical and verifiable measures to address the issue effectively.
Pakistan has consistently expressed concerns about Afghanistan providing safe haven to the banned TTP. In response to recent terrorist attacks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that any cross-border aggression would violate Pakistan's red lines.
While advocating for dialogue to address the issues, PM Shehbaz stressed that meaningful progress depends on the Taliban ceasing to offer refuge to the TTP.
The presence of militant groups in Afghanistan under Taliban governance has been a persistent concern in discussions about regional security. Nations such as Russia, Iran, and China, which have diplomatic relations with the Taliban, have repeatedly called on the group to ensure Afghan territory is not used for cross-border attacks.
