Islamabad says rising post-Taliban attacks leave no room for talks with TTP or BLA
The State Department said Friday that trade with Afghanistan will remain suspended until all “safe havens” for terrorists on Afghan soil are dismantled. “How and with whom to trade is a sovereign decision of each state. But trade or transit with Afghanistan will only be possible when all terrorist sanctuaries are eliminated. Human life is far more important than trade,” the spokesman said.
They added that terrorism in Pakistan has increased since the Taliban came to power. Despite suffering economic and human losses, Pakistan has avoided retaliatory actions in the expectation that the Taliban would curb militant activity. “Yet the Taliban’s claims and promises have remained purely verbal,” the spokesman said.
Pakistan will not hold talks with terrorist organizations including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), both of which are considered enemies of the state. “The Afghan Taliban,” the spokesman added, “continues to support groups that oppose Pakistan and have sought to promote Pashtun nationalism in the country”.
The spokesman stated that terrorism originating from inside Afghanistan has been justified by some individuals there. Currently, more Pashtuns live in Pakistan than in Afghanistan. While Pakistan has not ruled out talks with any government in Kabul, it will not negotiate with terrorist organizations. The FO spokesman confirmed that the second round of negotiations with the Afghan Taliban regime was concluded in Istanbul on 7 November.
Read: G-11 court suicide bomber confesses to Afghan ties
Regarding the recent terrorist attacks in Wana and Islamabad, the spokesman said Afghan involvement must be investigated in Kabul as Afghan nationals were implicated. Pakistan must take all necessary measures to protect its citizens. “These attacks illustrate the seriousness of the current situation in Afghanistan,” the spokesman added.
In a joint operation, the Intelligence Bureau and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Islamabad on Friday arrested four terrorists with Afghan links involved in the suicide attack at the Judicial Complex in G-11, Islamabad.
Andrabi also rejected India’s claims of nuclear tests. He described recent statements by former US President Donald Trump on nuclear tests as “false and baseless propaganda” and confirmed that Pakistan last conducted a nuclear test on May 28, 1999. He criticized India’s record on nuclear safety and security, noting that Californium stolen from the Bhabha nuclear reactor was sold on the black market last year.
On the reported meeting between Sardar Yasir Ilyas, former president of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz, the spokesman said there was no official information. If the meeting did take place, it was without formal permission or government sanction.
Read more: Pakistan blocks import of Afghan fruit via Iran due to border closures
The spokesman criticized India, saying its leadership was using terrorism to divert attention from internal challenges. “This case should be seen through the lens of security and terrorism, not politics, regional issues or Hindutva ideology. India is spreading misleading narratives after the blasts,” they said.
On Jordan’s king’s visit, the spokesman said it would reflect bilateral relations and would likely include discussions on Palestine. Pakistan has not decided to join an international stabilization force in Palestine. As a member of the UN Security Council, any such decision will be made in accordance with the Council’s guidelines.
