Pakistan has delivered a strong diplomatic warning to the Afghan Taliban government, demanding that it cut all links with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and take immediate steps to eliminate the group’s presence on Afghan soil, which Islamabad says continues to serve as a sanctuary for Khawarij receiving support from India’s intelligence agency, RAW.
The message was conveyed during the summoning of Afghanistan’s Acting Ambassador to Pakistan, Sardar Ahmad Shakib, to the Foreign Office. Additional Foreign Secretary Syed Ali Asad Gillani formally handed over Islamabad’s concerns, making it clear that the Taliban authorities must ensure their territory is not used to launch cross-border attacks or to facilitate terrorist activities against Pakistan.
According to diplomatic sources, the Afghan envoy was categorically reminded that the TTP is a UN-designated terrorist organisation and that Kabul’s commitments to the international community include denying safe havens to such groups. The démarche came in response to a recent surge in attacks by Khawarij, whom Pakistan accuses of operating freely from Afghanistan with external financial and logistical support.
The Foreign Office underscored that these developments not only threaten Pakistan’s security but also undermine regional stability. Officials stressed that Islamabad expects Kabul to act decisively against the Khawarij network, warning that tolerance of such groups is inconsistent with international obligations and bilateral assurances.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Special Envoy on Afghanistan, Muhammad Sadiq Khan, returned from an unannounced mission to the United Arab Emirates, where he held consultations regarding the Afghan situation. He is expected to brief the Prime Minister with a detailed report and, later this week, lead a senior delegation to Kabul for direct talks with Taliban leaders.
Officials reaffirmed that Pakistan remains committed to constructive engagement with Afghanistan but emphasised that it reserves the right to take all necessary measures to safeguard its people if Afghan territory continues to be exploited by the Khawarij.
