ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has exhausted all diplomatic avenues before adopting its current policy toward the Taliban government in Afghanistan, according to well-placed sources in Islamabad.
The decision stems from repeated failures to secure verifiable assurances that Afghan territory will not be used to harbor the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups responsible for cross-border attacks.
Pakistan had raised its concerns through bilateral channels as well as through friendly countries in an attempt to address what it described as the longstanding problem of the Taliban regime providing sanctuary to anti-Pakistan militants.
However, sources here said meetings between the Chinese envoy and Pakistani officials led Islamabad to conclude that the Taliban leadership had not altered its position on the matter.
According to officials familiar with the discussions, Taliban authorities reiterated to the Chinese envoy their longstanding position that the TTP issue was Pakistan’s “internal problem,” while maintaining that Afghan territory was not being used against neighbouring countries.
Pakistani officials rejected that claim, citing what they described as ample evidence, including reports by the United Nations Security Council, which they say corroborate Islamabad’s position regarding the presence and activities of TTP terrorists in Afghanistan.
The escalation in tensions follows a series of military actions, including precision strikes by Pakistan against TTP hideouts inside Afghanistan earlier this year, after diplomatic efforts yielded no results.
China, a key regional player with interests in both countries, had intensified mediation efforts by dispatching its special envoy for Afghan affairs to engage officials in Islamabad and Kabul.
The envoy’s shuttle diplomacy aimed at de-escalation and promoting dialogue, but Pakistani sources indicated that the Taliban side showed no flexibility on the core issue of militant sanctuaries.
In recent interactions, Pakistan politely declined pushes for renewed formal talks without concrete steps from Kabul to dismantle TTP infrastructure.
This stance was reflected in statements from the Foreign Office, where spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi confirmed last week that Pakistan would maintain its current policy toward Afghanistan.
“Since those assurances have not been received, we will continue with our existing policy with respect to that country,” he added during his weekly press briefing.
The Express Tribune reported similar details, noting that Islamabad acknowledged Beijing’s efforts for de-escalation but emphasized that a policy shift remained unlikely without verifiable actions against terrorist groups.
The TTP, estimated to have thousands of fighters operating from Afghan soil, has intensified attacks inside Pakistan since the Taliban takeover in 2021, leading to significant casualties among security forces and civilians.
UN reports and independent assessments have highlighted the group’s cross-border operations, contradicting Taliban denials.
Pakistan’s security establishment views the Taliban’s refusal to act as a direct threat to national stability, prompting a shift from engagement to a more assertive posture.
Despite the hardened position, diplomatic channels have not been entirely closed, with some engagement continuing through multilateral forums.
Nevertheless, it is believed that while Pakistan sticks to its overall stance, the possibility of a temporary pause in hostilities during Eid is not ruled out, as such gestures have occurred in the past to facilitate humanitarian considerations.
The broader regional implications remain significant, with ongoing border clashes risking further instability in an already volatile area.
Pakistan insists that any meaningful dialogue must be preceded by demonstrable steps from the Taliban to eliminate threats emanating from their territory.
Officials stress that Islamabad’s policy is driven by national security imperatives rather than ideological differences.
The situation underscores the complex evolution of Pakistan-Afghanistan ties since the Taliban’s return to power, marked by initial optimism giving way to confrontation over terrorism concerns.
As tensions persist, the international community watches closely for signs of either renewed diplomacy or further escalation.