Pressure Tacticsescalating bilateral tensions sharply.
ISLAMABAD:In a sharp escalation of diplomatic rhetoric, Taliban ForeignMinister Amir Khan Muttaqi has leveled serious accusations againstPakistan, claiming that Islamabad is employing pressure tactics andpursuing enigmatic initiatives within Afghanistan that threaten todestabilize the region. Speaking at a public gathering in Kabul, Muttaqihighlighted what he described as Pakistan’s attempts to impose “mysteriousprojects” on Afghan soil, actions he argued are designed to undermine theTaliban administration’s stability. This comes amid ongoing disputes overborder security and cross-border militancy, which have strained relationsbetween the two neighboring countries for years.
Muttaqi’s remarks underscore a growing frustration within the Talibanleadership toward Pakistan’s policies. He asserted that Islamabad hasresorted to economic coercion, including the closure of vital trade routes,in a bid to force Kabul into compliance with its demands. According toMuttaqi, these border shutdowns are not merely logistical measures butstrategic moves intended to foment unrest within Afghanistan. By disruptingtrade, he claimed, Pakistan hopes to exacerbate internal challenges facedby the Taliban government, thereby weakening its grip on power. Suchtactics, Muttaqi warned, are only serving to heighten bilateral tensions,pushing the relationship toward a potential breaking point.
The Taliban minister also pointed to Pakistan’s broader regional behavior,noting that Islamabad maintains contentious relations with nearly all itsneighbors. He criticized what he termed as “unrealistic and unacceptable”security expectations placed on Afghanistan, insisting that the Taliban hasalready implemented significant measures to address these concerns. Overthe past four years, Muttaqi stated, Kabul has relocated families from theWaziristan tribal regions away from the frontier zones and bolstered borderdeployments with additional forces. These steps, he argued, demonstrate theTaliban’s commitment to regional stability and refute allegations ofharboring militant groups.
Central to the discord is the issue of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan(TTP), a militant outfit that Pakistan accuses of operating from Afghanterritory. Taliban officials, however, vehemently deny the presence of TTPfighters in Afghanistan, maintaining that only refugees crossed into thecountry prior to the Taliban’s 2021 takeover. Muttaqi emphasized that noactive militant networks are being sheltered, countering Pakistan’srepeated calls for decisive action against such groups. Islamabad, on theother hand, has consistently provided evidence suggesting otherwise,including intelligence reports of cross-border attacks originating fromAfghan soil. This impasse has led to a cycle of accusations and retaliatorymeasures, with border skirmishes and diplomatic expulsions becomingincreasingly common.
The implications of this rift extend beyond bilateral ties, affectingregional security dynamics in South Asia. Analysts suggest that unresolvedtensions could embolden extremist elements and hinder economic cooperation,such as trade corridors vital for both nations. Muttaqi’s publiccondemnation signals a hardening stance from Kabul, potentiallycomplicating efforts toward reconciliation. As both sides dig in, theinternational community watches closely, urging dialogue to prevent furtherescalation. Without mutual concessions, the fragile peace along the DurandLine risks unraveling, with consequences for stability in the broaderregion.
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Source: https://www.dawn.com
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com
Tags: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Taliban, TTP
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