In a major diplomatic breakthrough, Pakistan’s sustained engagement with the Afghan Taliban has led to an unprecedented crackdown on militants involved in cross-border terrorism—marking a decisive shift in Taliban policy and reaffirming Islamabad’s regional influence.
For the first time since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, the group has begun arresting individuals encouraging or facilitating attacks inside Pakistan. The shift followed a series of closed-door meetings in Kabul between Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq Khan, and Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, backed by Pakistan’s civil and military leadership.
According to highly placed sources, more than 70 militants—mostly Afghan nationals linked to recent TTP activities and reportedly involved in plotting attacks following the Pahalgam incident in Indian-occupied Kashmir—have been detained. The arrests came after Pakistan presented concrete intelligence linking Afghan-based operatives to a surge in terrorist incidents inside Pakistani territory.
Senior Pakistani officials believe the Taliban are finally responding to Pakistan’s long-standing demands for action against groups using Afghan soil to target the Pakistani state. The recent crackdown has already resulted in a noticeable decline in suicide bombings and terrorist incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, offering early signs of improving security conditions.
“This marks a turning point. The Taliban now appear to understand that peace in Afghanistan is not possible without addressing Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns,” a senior Pakistani official said. “They are increasingly focused on economic stability and international legitimacy—and that has brought them to the negotiating table.”
China, a key strategic partner of Pakistan, is believed to have played a quiet but influential role in facilitating this shift. On May 21, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted an informal trilateral meeting in Beijing with the foreign ministers of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Following the talks, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that both Kabul and Islamabad had agreed in principle to exchange ambassadors—an important step toward restoring full diplomatic relations.
The improving ties culminated in the April 19 visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, to Kabul—the first high-level Pakistani visit since the Taliban takeover. During the visit, Taliban officials provided fresh assurances that Afghan territory would not be allowed for attacks against Pakistan. In return, Pakistan moved to ease key trade restrictions, including the withdrawal of banking guarantee requirements for Afghan importers.
Islamabad, while encouraged by the progress, remains firm that goodwill alone is not enough. “We expect irreversible action—no temporary arrangements or symbolic steps,” said a Pakistani diplomat. “Pakistan’s trust must be earned through continued cooperation, verifiable results, and zero tolerance for anti-Pakistan elements operating across the border.”
The crackdown followed the presentation of mounting evidence by Pakistan linking Afghan nationals to a wave of TTP-backed attacks, which had severely strained bilateral ties. Sources confirm that many recruiters and facilitators working for TTP under Taliban rule have now been arrested and are facing legal action.
Meanwhile, India has sought to deepen its engagement with the Taliban despite tense relations with both Islamabad and Kabul. Following the April 22 Pahalgam incident and cross-border tensions, New Delhi resumed visa issuance for Afghan citizens after a four-year suspension. Pakistani officials view India’s overtures to the Taliban with concern, given Islamabad’s repeated accusations of Indian involvement in destabilizing activities, particularly in Balochistan—allegations India continues to deny.
As regional powers vie for influence, Pakistan has asserted itself as the principal actor shaping post-withdrawal Afghanistan’s security architecture. Through diplomacy grounded in intelligence, strategy, and regional alliances, Islamabad has demonstrated that decisive, results-oriented engagement can compel action—even from reluctant actors.
The evolving trilateral dynamic between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China, alongside India’s growing presence, sets the stage for a new phase of geopolitical realignment in South Asia—one in which Pakistan, through its assertive diplomacy and principled stance, has taken the lead in redefining regional security priorities.
