Strongly
ISLAMABAD: The Afghan Taliban government has issued a sharp rebuttal torecent allegations made by Pakistan’s Director General Inter-ServicesPublic Relations (DG ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, whoclaimed Afghan nationals and soil were involved in major terroristincidents in Pakistan throughout 2025. The Taliban described the remarks as”irresponsible and provocative,” warning of further strain in bilateralrelations already marred by cross-border security issues.
In a strongly worded statement, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahiddismissed the DG ISPR’s assertions, insisting that Afghanistan underTaliban rule does not harbour or support groups targeting Pakistan. Heaccused Pakistani military officials of spreading misinformation to justifyinternal challenges and deflect from domestic security failures, escalatinga war of words that has intensified since the Taliban’s return to power in2021.
Data from Pakistan’s military indicates a surge in terrorist attacks in2025, with the DG ISPR highlighting Afghan involvement in severalhigh-profile incidents. Official figures reveal over 1,500terrorism-related fatalities in Pakistan last year, many linked to theTehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which allegedly operates from Afghansanctuaries, a claim Kabul consistently rejects as baseless.
The DG ISPR’s press conference detailed intelligence reports showing Afghancitizens among perpetrators of attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa andBalochistan provinces. He emphasised that terrorism remains Pakistan’sprimary threat, with operations eliminating hundreds of militants, yetpersistent cross-border facilitation undermines efforts, urging the Afghaninterim government to act responsibly as a state entity.
Taliban officials countered by pointing to Pakistan’s historical supportfor militant groups during past conflicts, suggesting Islamabad’saccusations are hypocritical. They maintain that the TTP issue is aninternal Pakistani matter, refusing extradition demands while advocatingdialogue, though recent talks in Istanbul yielded no breakthrough amidmutual distrust.
Analysts note that 2025 saw heightened border clashes, including allegedPakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan, which Kabul condemned as violations ofsovereignty. These incidents, coupled with refugee repatriation disputes,have pushed relations to a low point, raising concerns over regionalstability as both sides trade blame for rising militancy.
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Pakistan’s counter-terrorism data shows a 60 percent increase in attacksattributed to TTP since 2021, with military operations like Azm-e-Istehkamtargeting hideouts. However, without Afghan cooperation, experts warn ofprolonged instability, potentially spilling over into broader South Asiansecurity dynamics involving other actors.
The exchange underscores deep-seated mistrust, with the Taliban vowing todefend Afghanistan’s independence fiercely. As diplomatic channels remainstrained, observers fear escalation unless third-party mediation revives,though current rhetoric suggests little immediate prospect forde-escalation in this protracted neighbourly feud.
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1965440
Tags: Afghan Taliban, Pakistan, DG ISPR, TTP, Terrorism
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