A senior security official has said that the Afghan Taliban leadership is fully aware of Pakistan’s concerns and demands, stressing that the regime must take “verifiable steps” if it wants a ceasefire or dialogue with Islamabad.
Relations between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have reached their lowest point since the group returned to power in 2021.
On February 22, Pakistan conducted overnight strikes on terrorist camps and hideouts in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Paktika provinces. Following the strikes, the Afghan Taliban launched attacks along the border last week.
In response, Pakistan initiated Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq on February 26.
Afghan Taliban Aware of Pakistan’s Concerns
During a briefing at the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) headquarters for journalists from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the senior security official said the Afghan Taliban regime already knew Pakistan’s concerns.
“The Afghan Taliban are well aware of Pakistan’s concerns. The decision is now theirs,” the official said.
“If they want dialogue or a ceasefire, they must take verifiable steps. Pakistan does not wish to attack anyone; our priority remains the country’s security.”
Pakistan Says Border Is Guarded Only From One Side
The official stated that the Pakistan-Afghanistan border is the only international border that is effectively guarded from one side.
“On the other side, terrorist elements are provided shelter in the border areas and facilitated,” he said.
He added that despite the ongoing military operations, Pakistan was demonstrating “utmost responsibility” by minimizing collateral damage.
“Civilian population has not been targeted in any operation carried out by Pakistan. Operations are limited to terrorist camps and military targets.”
According to the official, Pakistan’s strikes have targeted areas where militants were receiving weapons, resources, and technical support.
Evidence Presented to Other Countries
Recalling previous diplomatic efforts following the October border clashes, the official said three different countries were involved in attempts to ease tensions.
“These countries have accepted the evidence provided by Pakistan and have also convinced the Afghan Taliban that Pakistan’s concerns are absolutely valid,” he said.
However, he noted that no change in Taliban behaviour had been observed.
“The reality is that there is a clear nexus between terrorism and crime in Afghanistan.”
He further alleged that the Afghan Taliban were harbouring several militant organisations and acting as their “master proxy.”
Afghan Taliban Attacked Pakistan Border Posts
The official said Pakistan initially targeted Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) camps inside Afghanistan.
However, he said the Afghan Taliban responded by attacking Pakistani border posts, which had been established to prevent militant infiltration.
According to the official, Pakistan’s security forces have destroyed 36 militant posts inside Afghanistan that were allegedly being used to launch attacks against Pakistan.
Bagram Base Targeted
The official also spoke about the targeting of Bagram base in Afghanistan, stating that the purpose was to destroy weapons and ammunition being used against Pakistan.
He said operations aimed at dismantling militant networks and eliminating terrorists inside Pakistan were also ongoing.
Unified Narrative Against Terrorism Needed
The official stressed that eliminating terrorism completely would not be possible until the country developed a clear and unified national narrative against terrorism.
“The National Action Plan (NAP) was formulated with this objective in mind, so that along with terrorism, extremism and crime spreading in society can also be curbed,” he said.
He added that gaps in governance and internal security systems strengthen terrorism.
Pakistan Says It Has No Interventionist Agenda
The official clarified that Pakistan had no interventionist agenda in Afghanistan.
“Afghanistan’s political landscape is a matter for the Afghan people,” he said.
“We have only one clear stance: Afghan soil must not be used for terrorism against Pakistan.”
He added that Pakistan’s operation would continue until its objectives were achieved.
“The Afghan Taliban know what our demands are to stop the war.”
COAS Asim Munir’s Statement
A day earlier, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir stated that lasting peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan would only be possible if the Taliban regime ended its support for terrorism and militant organisations.
