The Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) said on Sunday that the Taliban regime avoided action against terrorists during the recent Istanbul talks, using the negotiations to prolong a temporary ceasefire without taking concrete measures against Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP/Fitna-al-Khawarij) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA/FaH) elements operating from Afghan soil.
The FO emphasized that these terrorist groups are declared enemies of the state, and anyone harboring, abetting, or financing them cannot be considered a friend of Pakistan.
The third round of Pakistan-Afghanistan talks, mediated by Turkiye and Qatar on November 7, was meant to establish a mechanism to curb terrorist activities, particularly by Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP/Fitna-al-Khawarij) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA/FaH) elements.
The Foreign office statement highlighted that instead of addressing Pakistan’s core concern, the Taliban regime engaged in futile arguments, hypothetical accusations, and jingoistic rhetoric to stonewall efforts at reaching any concrete understanding.
“Throughout the talks, the Taliban regime was only interested in prolonging the temporary ceasefire, but without taking concrete and verifiable actions against the TTP and BLA elements present on Afghan soil,” the statement said.
The Foreign office further warned that the Taliban regime has consistently tried to misrepresent Pakistani terrorists hiding in Afghanistan as a humanitarian issue. “This is not a refugees’ issue but a deliberate effort to frame terrorists as civilians,” the statement added.
The FO noted that since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, terrorist attacks in Pakistan surged, with the attacks “emanating from Afghan soil”. It added that despite the attacks, Islamabad maintained restraint and took no retaliatory action.
Over the past four years, Pakistan has engaged constructively with the Taliban regime through trade concessions, humanitarian assistance, and facilitation of educational and medical visas. Despite these efforts, the Foreign office said the Taliban’s response has largely consisted of hollow promises and inaction.
“Afghan Taliban has repeatedly failed to prevent its territory from being used to launch attacks on Pakistan,” the Foreign office said. It emphasized that TTP and BLA elements are declared enemies of the State, and anyone harboring, abetting, or financing them cannot be considered a friend of Pakistan.
Pakistan has repeatedly demanded that these terrorists be handed over at official border crossings. “The Taliban regime’s refusal reflects lack of intent rather than capability,” the statement said.
The Foreign office reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue and regional peace but stressed that negotiations will not take place with terrorist groups. “Our Armed Forces and people remain determined to safeguard Pakistan’s territory and citizens and take action against supporters, abetters, and financiers of terrorism,” the statement concluded.
