Pakistan snubs Afghan Taliban’s ‘pretence of dialogue’

Islamabad, Pakistan - The Pakistani government declared its ongoing commitment to dialogue and cooperation with the Afghan Taliban, despite the group's spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, asserting that Afghanistan was seeking genuine dialogue. Mujahid also advocated for enhanced intelligence-sharing and cooperation, as well as a greater role for Saudi Arabia in mediating between Kabul and Islamabad.

Pakistan dismissed these calls, asserting that the Taliban's remarks were merely a "pretence of dialogue" meant to protect those who threaten its people.

In response to Afghan Taliban's warning of retaliatory action against Pakistan if it carried out military operations inside Afghanistan, Islamabad stated that the Taliban must dismantle terrorist networks operating from its territory rather than deflecting responsibility. The Afghan Taliban had previously warned Pakistan against conducting military operations inside its borders and claimed that the country was using Afghan soil to launch attacks within Pakistan.

The Pakistani government, however, denied these allegations and insisted that it was taking all necessary measures to eliminate terrorist threats while adhering to international law to protect its citizens, territory, and sovereignty.

Mujahid also denied Pakistan's assertion that Afghan territory was being utilized by militant groups to carry out attacks within Pakistan. In reaction to the deadly terrorist attack on civilians and police officials in Kohat, Pakistan's information ministry condemned the barbaric act, describing the attackers as "the vilest of Khwarij with roots in Afghanistan," and emphasized that Pakistan had repeatedly expressed concerns over the use of Afghan territory by terrorist groups such as the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to plan and launch attacks within its borders. Islamabad urged the Taliban to dismantle these networks instead of shifting blame away from them.