The Foreign Office spokesperson, Tahir Andrabi, has said that any shelter or support extended by the Taliban to terrorist elements is unacceptable to Pakistan.
In an official statement, Andrabi said that the Fitna al-Hindustan (BLA) and Fitna al-Khawarij (TTP) are enemies of the state and people of Pakistan. He added that any party providing them refuge, assistance or financial aid would not be regarded as an ally of Pakistan.
Andrabi said that the third round of talks, mediated by Turkey and Qatar, concluded in Istanbul on November 7. He expressed appreciation for the mediation efforts aimed at preventing cross-border attacks from Afghanistan.
According to the statement, there has been a marked increase in terrorist incidents in Pakistan originating from Afghan soil since August 2021. Pakistan, it said, endured four years of grave human and financial losses with restraint. The government had hoped that the Taliban administration would gradually establish control and take decisive action against the TTP and BLA operating across the border. However, there has been little evidence of practical measures from the Afghan side.
The spokesperson said that Pakistan had extended several facilities to the Afghan Taliban, including trade, humanitarian aid, and educational and medical visas. Islamabad also maintained a positive approach towards engagement on international platforms. Despite this, most of the Taliban’s commitments, he said, remained superficial and ineffective.
Andrabi recalled that during the first round of talks in Doha, both sides agreed upon basic principles and a temporary ceasefire. The second round was intended to establish a framework for the implementation of those principles, yet the Taliban delegation attempted to withdraw from prior commitments and disrupted the atmosphere through accusations and provocative statements.
During the third round, Pakistan again emphasised the need for an effective monitoring mechanism. The Afghan side, however, sought to broaden the agenda instead of focusing on core issues, and introduced irrelevant claims to prolong discussions. Due to this approach, no meaningful agreement could be reached.
The Foreign Office said that while some elements within the Afghan Taliban do not favour confrontation with Pakistan, a strong lobby—supported by external financial backers—is working to inflame tensions. The use of Afghan territory for issuing edicts and conducting terrorist activities against Pakistan remains a serious security concern.
The statement said that Pakistan remains committed to dialogue and peace but insisted that the root cause—the threat of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil—must first be eliminated. Until that danger persists, Pakistan will continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard its borders and people.
