ISLAMABAD: Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef, the former Taliban ambassador toPakistan, has made startling admissions that underscore persistent tensionsbetween Kabul and Islamabad. In a recent interview, Zaeef acknowledged thatwhile the Taliban lack heavy weaponry, they possess “ideological alliesacross Pakistan.” These allies, he implied, bolster their influence despitemilitary limitations. His words have ignited concerns over the Taliban’sdeepening ties with anti-Pakistan groups, challenging assurances ofnon-interference from Afghan leadership. Pakistani officials view this asvalidation of long-held suspicions regarding cross-border support forextremism.
Zaeef’s revelations extend to the Taliban’s stance on the Tehrik-i-TalibanPakistan (TTP) and Baloch militants. He explicitly stated that the Afghangovernment under Taliban rule will not take action against these entities.This policy, Zaeef suggested, aligns with strategic interests thatprioritize regional dynamics over bilateral security commitments. Analystsinterpret this as an overt signal of Kabul’s intent to maintain militantproxies as leverage. Such admissions expose a calculated approach todestabilize Pakistan, potentially exacerbating violence in border regionslike Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
The implications of Zaeef’s comments reaffirm Pakistan’s longstandingposition that Afghan territory serves as a sanctuary for terrorism directedagainst it. Despite repeated diplomatic pledges from Kabul to prevent suchactivities, these statements reveal a disconnect between rhetoric andreality. Islamabad has consistently raised alarms at international forums,urging Afghanistan to dismantle terror networks operating from its soil.Zaeef’s candor highlights the fragility of post-2021 assurances, strainingefforts toward regional stability and economic cooperation under frameworkslike the Belt and Road Initiative.
Furthermore, Zaeef’s remarks point to broader geopolitical maneuvers,including alleged alignment with Indian interests to counter Pakistan’sinfluence. By shielding TTP and Baloch insurgents, Kabul risks isolatingitself diplomatically while fueling proxy conflicts. Pakistani securityexperts warn that unchecked ideological alliances could lead to heightenedcross-border incursions, demanding robust countermeasures. This developmentcalls for renewed multilateral engagement to enforce border security anddismantle proxy support systems.
Read Top Stories
In response, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry reiterated demands for verifiableactions from Afghanistan to honor anti-terrorism pacts. Diplomatic channelsremain open, yet trust erosion persists amid these disclosures. As regionalpowers navigate these complexities, Zaeef’s interview serves as a starkreminder of unresolved grievances from the Soviet era through the present,urging a paradigm shift toward genuine counter-terrorism collaboration.