ISLAMABAD: In the aftermath of attacks by alleged militants of outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on its soil, Pakistan lashed out at the Taliban-led Afghan government on Saturday for “neglecting its duties as a neighbouring country” and failing to abide by its commitments outlined in the February 2020 Doha agreement.
Taking to Twitter, defence minister Khawaja Asif took strong exception to Afghanistan for alleged violation of Doha agreement, according to which, Taliban will prevent the use of Afghan soil for terrorist activities.
The minister shared the post in reaction to terrorist attacks on garrisons in Zhob and Sui districts of restive Balochistan province, in which at least 12 soldiers were killed. The loss marked the highest single-day death toll reported by the military from terrorist incidents this year.
The defence minister claimed around five to six million Afghans have sought asylum in Pakistan over the last 40 to 50 years with all rights. “On the contrary, the terrorists who shed the blood of Pakistanis have safe havens on Afghan soil,” Asif tweeted, warning that the ongoing situation could no longer persist. Pakistan, the minister said, would employ all possible resources and measures, “with the guidance of Allah, to safeguard its territory and citizens”.
Similar concerns were expressed by the Pakistan Army a day earlier, stating that TTP militants have safe havens in Afghanistan and that they enjoy freedom of movement there. On Friday, Army Chief General Asim Munir had issued a stern warning to the interim Afghan Taliban government over the presence of TTP, saying that recent terrorist attacks would elicit an effective response from Pakistan.
“The armed forces of Pakistan have serious concerns on the safe havens and liberty of action available to TTP in Afghanistan,” noted the statement issued by the Army’s media wing on behalf of Gen Munir.
“It is expected that the interim Afghan government would not allow the use of its soil to perpetrate terror against any country, in the real sense and in line with commitments made in Doha Agreement,” the Army Chief was quoted as saying.
Gen Munir revealed that Afghan nationals were involved in recent acts of terrorism in Pakistan.
“The involvement of Afghan nationals in acts of terrorism in Pakistan is another important concern that needs to be addressed,” the Army Chief said. His statement suggested frustration on the part of Pakistan due to the lack of cooperation from the Afghan Taliban to tackle the TTP threat.
Meanwhile, Kabul-based Afghan Taliban officials claimed the interim government was not allowing use of its soil against any country and that the TTP was a problem for Pakistan to deal with.
The TTP has become a bone of contention between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban. Despite efforts, the two sides could not find a common ground to deal with the issue.
At the heart of the problem is the reluctance of the Afghan Taliban to act against the TTP and its leadership.
Taking to Twitter, defence minister Khawaja Asif took strong exception to Afghanistan for alleged violation of Doha agreement, according to which, Taliban will prevent the use of Afghan soil for terrorist activities.
The minister shared the post in reaction to terrorist attacks on garrisons in Zhob and Sui districts of restive Balochistan province, in which at least 12 soldiers were killed. The loss marked the highest single-day death toll reported by the military from terrorist incidents this year.
The defence minister claimed around five to six million Afghans have sought asylum in Pakistan over the last 40 to 50 years with all rights. “On the contrary, the terrorists who shed the blood of Pakistanis have safe havens on Afghan soil,” Asif tweeted, warning that the ongoing situation could no longer persist. Pakistan, the minister said, would employ all possible resources and measures, “with the guidance of Allah, to safeguard its territory and citizens”.
Similar concerns were expressed by the Pakistan Army a day earlier, stating that TTP militants have safe havens in Afghanistan and that they enjoy freedom of movement there. On Friday, Army Chief General Asim Munir had issued a stern warning to the interim Afghan Taliban government over the presence of TTP, saying that recent terrorist attacks would elicit an effective response from Pakistan.
“The armed forces of Pakistan have serious concerns on the safe havens and liberty of action available to TTP in Afghanistan,” noted the statement issued by the Army’s media wing on behalf of Gen Munir.
“It is expected that the interim Afghan government would not allow the use of its soil to perpetrate terror against any country, in the real sense and in line with commitments made in Doha Agreement,” the Army Chief was quoted as saying.
Gen Munir revealed that Afghan nationals were involved in recent acts of terrorism in Pakistan.
“The involvement of Afghan nationals in acts of terrorism in Pakistan is another important concern that needs to be addressed,” the Army Chief said. His statement suggested frustration on the part of Pakistan due to the lack of cooperation from the Afghan Taliban to tackle the TTP threat.
Meanwhile, Kabul-based Afghan Taliban officials claimed the interim government was not allowing use of its soil against any country and that the TTP was a problem for Pakistan to deal with.
The TTP has become a bone of contention between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban. Despite efforts, the two sides could not find a common ground to deal with the issue.
At the heart of the problem is the reluctance of the Afghan Taliban to act against the TTP and its leadership.