Information ministry tells Afghan Taliban ties cannot normalise without an end to terrorism

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has responded to the recent statement of the Afghan Taliban spokesman. It said the Afghan Taliban leadership was ignoring the main cause of strained relations with Pakistan and blaming Islamabad’s policies instead. This, it said, reflected the misguided thinking of that government and its lack of interest in tackling the root of the problem.

According to the ministry, the most important reason for the decline in relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan is terrorism in Pakistan from Afghan soil. However, instead of resolving this basic issue, the Afghan Taliban leadership is levelling allegations against Pakistan.

The statement made it clear that terrorism is a red line for Pakistan and that there can be no compromise on the security of its citizens. The Afghan Taliban government must understand that Pakistan will not tolerate safe havens for terrorists across its borders. Nor will it let its people continue to be targeted by terrorism from Afghanistan.

The ministry said Pakistan has the right to take all necessary measures, in accordance with international law, to end threats to its national security, wherever those threats originate. According to the statement, the primary responsibility for dealing with these threats lies with the Afghan Taliban government.

According to the ministry, the Afghan Taliban government’s continued neglect of the problem of terrorism is the biggest obstacle to normalising relations between the two countries. It said exchanging allegations, giving hollow assurances and questioning Pakistan’s policies would neither resolve the crisis nor relieve Kabul of its responsibilities.

The statement further said the Afghan Taliban leadership must understand that Pakistan’s security cannot be left at the mercy of the Afghan Taliban government’s inaction, evasion or wrong priorities.

The ministry took a firm position, saying Pakistan is committed to protecting its people and that this resolve should not be mistaken for weakness in any way.