The Afghan interim government is striving to mend ties with Pakistan concerning the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as a close aide of the Afghan Taliban's supreme leader prepares for critical discussions with authorities in Islamabad on Wednesday.
A Taliban delegation, led by Kandahar Governor Mullah Sherin Akhund, will journey to Pakistan on January 3 in a renewed effort to ease the escalating tensions between the two neighboring countries.
This meeting marks the first high-level contact between the two nations in months.
Pakistan essentially halted high-level communications with the Afghan Taliban government due to Kabul's failure to curb the TTP and its affiliates.
In recent months, Pakistan has vocally criticized the TTP's use of Afghan soil for launching cross-border terrorist attacks. Islamabad has now publicly accused the Kabul regime of harboring enemies of Pakistan.
Despite repeated calls to neutralize the TTP threat, terrorist attacks have persisted from across the border. On the final day of 2023, Pakistan thwarted a terrorist attempt to infiltrate and responded to cross-border firing.
Mullah Akhund is scheduled to meet senior Pakistani officials, including Pakistan’s special representative on Afghanistan, Ambassador Asif Durrani. The primary focus of the discussions will revolve around addressing the banned TTP, according to sources.
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A senior Pakistani official informed The Express Tribune on Monday that Pakistan has taken a firm stance, declaring no intention to engage with the terrorist group. "Our demand is unequivocal. The Afghan Taliban must prevent the TTP from launching attacks against Pakistan," the official emphasized.
It is believed that the senior aide of the Afghan Taliban's supreme leader aims to persuade Pakistan about the Kabul regime's earnestness in tackling the problem.
The Afghan Taliban government is hesitant to take action against the TTP, citing various reasons. Instead, Kabul has been urging Pakistan to negotiate with the terrorist outfit.
Officials here are not overly optimistic about Mullah Akhund's visit. "Let’s await the outcomes of the talks. It's premature to anticipate if this visit will yield any breakthrough," the official remarked.
Observers perceive that the Taliban government faces pressure to meet Pakistan’s expectations, given the country's significance for its international recognition. Amid worsening relations, Pakistan recently shifted its policy away from advocating for the Taliban government at international forums.
Last month, Pakistan informed the United Nations Security Council that any engagement with the Taliban government must hinge on actions taken against terrorist organizations, including the TTP.
Read the full story at the express tribune website.
