Islamabad says growing post-Taliban attacks leave no room for talks with TTP or BLA
The Foreign Office said on Friday that trade with Afghanistan will remain suspended until all terrorist “safe havens” 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 once all terrorist sanctuaries are eliminated. Human life is much more important than trade,” the spokesperson said.
They added that terrorism within Pakistan has increased since the Taliban took power. Despite suffering financial and human losses, Pakistan has avoided retaliating in the expectation that the Taliban would curb militant activity. “However, the Taliban’s claims and promises have remained purely verbal,” the spokesperson said.
Pakistan will not hold negotiations with terrorist organisations, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), both considered enemies of the state. “The Afghan Taliban,” the spokesperson added, “continues to support groups opposed to Pakistan and has attempted to promote Pashtun nationalism in the country.”
The spokesperson stated that some people there have justified terrorism originating from inside Afghanistan. Today, more Pashtuns live in Pakistan than in Afghanistan. While Pakistan has not refused to engage in talks with any government in Kabul, it will not negotiate with terrorist organizations. The FO spokesperson confirmed that the second round of negotiations held with the Afghan Taliban regime concluded in Istanbul on November 7.
Read: G-11 suicide bomber confesses to having ties to Afghanistan
Regarding the recent terrorist attacks in Wana and Islamabad, the spokesperson said that the Afghan involvement must be investigated in Kabul, as Afghan citizens are involved. 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 Anti-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Islamabad on Friday arrested four terrorists with Afghan links, involved in the suicide attack at the G-11 Judicial Complex, Islamabad.
Andrabi also rejected India’s claims about nuclear testing. He described former US President Donald Trump’s recent statements on nuclear testing 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 security and noted that last year, californium stolen from the Bhabha nuclear reactor was being sold on the black market, an issue that should be addressed by international bodies.
Regarding the meeting between Sardar Yasir Ilyas, former president of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz, the spokesperson said there was no official information. If the meeting took place, it was without formal permission or government sanction.
Read more: Pakistan blocks import of Afghan fruit through Iran amid border closure
The spokesperson criticized India and said its leaders were using terrorism to divert attention from internal challenges. “This issue must 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 the Jordanian king’s visit, the spokesperson 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 decisions will be made in accordance with the council’s guidelines.
