Pakistan military spokesperson Major General Babar Iftikhar said that the country is in “constant touch” with the Taliban in Afghanistan with an aim to guard his nation’s security matters. Since the takeover of Afghanistan by the Islamist militant group on Assumption , there has been a worldwide worry and fear that Afghan soil would become a secure haven for Islamist terrorist organisations for attacks on foreign countries, albeit the Taliban repeatedly assuring against it
Taliban have reiterated on several occasions that no group or terrorist organisation are going to be allowed to use Afghan territory for any terrorist activity against any country, including Pakistan,” Iftikhar told Urdu News.
He added that there isn’t any “reason to doubt” the Taliban’s “intentions,” and this is often the rationale why Pakistan is in continuous touch with the group to safeguard the nation’s security interests.
In the past, Pakistan has on many occasions stressed on the necessity to offer the Taliban an opportunity in governing Afghanistan. Last week, it had been reported that Pakistan’s national security advisor Moeed Yusuf is displeased with the international community’s “wait-and-watch” tactic on recognising the Taliban government in Afghanistan.
Yusuf told the Dawn newspaper that so as to influence and mold the Taliban governance, within the way “the world wants,” the international community must have a conversation with the govt directly. “Without engagement that might not be possible,” Yusuf was quoted as saying by the Dawn.
As per the newest update, the Dawn reported that one among Pakistan’s major concerns following the re-emergence of Taliban in Afghanistan has been the existence of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorist organization within the latter nation – which took responsibility of shooting Nobel Peace lottery winner Malala Yousafzai in 2012.
The report further stated that Pakistani authorities and therefore the Taliban government in Afghanistan are holding discourse on new border control measures to eradicate unwanted movement of elements inside Pakistan.
Our goal has always been better management on this (Pakistan) side of the border. Fencing the Pakistan-Afghan border was a serious responsibility thanks to the region’s terrain and other difficulties,” Iftikhar said.
The fencing work has been done on 90% of the two ,600-km border area, Iftikhar claimed, and added that the border management between the 2 countries is “constantly improving”.
“We are hopeful that it’ll be fully secured within the near future,” he noted.
The Pakistan military spokesperson’s comments come after the country’s Prime Minister Imran Khan last Saturday said that they need “initiated dialogue” with the Taliban in Afghanistan to form the latter’s administration “inclusive” – thereby including Tajiks, Hazaras and Uzbeks.
But the Taliban didn’t take his comments alright because the group’s spokesperson and deputy information minister Zabihullah Mujahid said that no nation, including Pakistan, has any right to “ask the Islamic Emirate to determine an ‘inclusive’ government in Afghanistan.”
Meanwhile, the Islamist militants on Tuesday announced the expansion of its cabinet in Afghanistan, with the all-male approach intact. However, Mujahid – who presented the list of the names of the remaining ministers — defended the selection , citing that it comprises those from ethnic minorities like the Hazaras.