No change in Pakistan's Afghan policy
Islamabad says diplomatic contacts do not amount to political engagement with Taliban
Recent events have led to speculation that Pakistan might reconsider its stance towards Afghanistan's Taliban regime; however, official sources have firmly stated that Islamabad's policy remains unchanged. The speculation intensified after reports of acting Afghan Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani offering talks with Pakistan and an invitation extended to the Afghan ambassador in Islamabad to address the National Defence University (NDU).
Nevertheless, sources familiar with the situation told The Express Tribune that neither the proposed talks nor the NDU invitation indicated a shift in Pakistan's Afghan policy. They dismissed the NDU invitation as a routine academic interaction, similar to India's high commissioner being invited to the NDU in the past. The controversy arose following the Afghan envoy's public remarks about the discussions, which breached the established ground rules and angered Pakistani authorities.
The spokesperson of Pakistan's Foreign Office, Tahir Andrabi, downplayed the significance of the NDU invitation, stating that it was a common academic interaction and did not signify a policy change. Pakistan has insisted that meaningful engagement with the Taliban is contingent upon concrete and verifiable actions against banned terrorist groups, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which allegedly operates from Afghan territory to carry out attacks in Pakistan.
The issue of terrorist sanctuaries continues to be a major point of contention between the two nations. Officials emphasized that Pakistan's stance remains firm, and they do not see any indication of abandoning this position or establishing a new political track with the Taliban. Meanwhile, China is exploring diplomatic avenues to reduce tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with its envoy visiting Islamabad to discuss regional matters and the Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions.
However, given the current state of bilateral relations, experts remain skeptical about a swift revival of the Urumqi process, a Chinese initiative to ease tensions. Pakistani officials remain cautious, preferring to maintain limited diplomatic channels while insisting that a change in policy would depend on developments on the ground rather than isolated diplomatic or academic interactions.
Written by urgent.news from The Express Tribune - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
