KABUL/ISLAMABAD (SW) – Mohsin Reza Naqvi, Pakistan’s Interior Minister, recently has reiterated in a press conference in Islamabad that leaders of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are present in Afghanistan.
He urged the Islamic Emirate to hand over these TTP leaders to Pakistan to maintain friendly and bilateral relations.
Naqvi also claimed that the vehicle used in the March 26 attack on Chinese engineers in Pakistan was prepared in Afghanistan, and the suicide bomber was trained in the country.
However, military and international relations experts argue that Pakistan’s continuous emphasis on TTP’s presence in Afghanistan aims to pressure the Islamic Emirate and create instability in Afghanistan.
Bilal Fatemi, an expert in international relations, states that Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of being involved in the attack on Chinese engineers to undermine the extensive economic relations between China and Afghanistan. He adds, “Pakistan raises accusations to achieve its own goals and to implement Western and American programs in the region. By accusing Afghanistan, Pakistan seeks to pressure it regionally and keep it weak.”
Abdul Wahed Taqat, a military affairs expert, says that the TTP was initially nurtured by Pakistan but is now beyond the control of both Pakistan and the Islamic Emirate.
He explains, “TTP has become a force operating in Peshawar and Quetta. They are not under our control; they are an independent force with international terrorist connections, equipped by countries pursuing their regional interests. They are self-sufficient and not under the supervision of the Islamic Emirate.”
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, reacted to the claim of Afghan citizens’ involvement in the attack on Chinese engineers in Pakistan, saying that Pakistani security officials are spreading rumors to evade their responsibilities.
Mujahid reiterated that blaming Afghan citizens harms both countries.
Previously, the Islamic Emirate has repeatedly rejected Pakistan’s claims of TTP members being present in Afghanistan, labeling these allegations as baseless.
