He emphasized: “The issue of the Taliban in Pakistan is an internal matter of Pakistan. The Taliban of Pakistan is not a new phenomenon; they have been active in Waziristan and other regions for the past 20 years, and it is an internal issue of that country. Afghanistan has repeatedly emphasized that it will not allow Afghan soil to be used against any country, and it will not allow anyone to use Afghan soil against Pakistan.”
A day earlier, Osama Jadoon, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, stated at the U.S. Army War College that Afghanistan is becoming a “center of terrorism.” He added that the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan is present in Afghanistan and is using the country to launch continuous attacks on Pakistan.
Security experts suggest that Pakistan has raised these claims repeatedly over the past three years, which have been denied by the Islamic Emirate. They emphasize that to address these concerns, a “regional intelligence coordination center” should be established.
Mohammad Sadiq Shinwari, a military expert, said: “To address these concerns, there should be regional consensus and coordination, as well as the establishment of an intelligence coordination center at the regional level or in countries that are concerned about this issue.”
Meanwhile, some experts in international relations say that Pakistan regularly raises these claims in an attempt to exert pressure on the Islamic Emirate.
Sial Wardak, an expert on international relations, states that Pakistan wants to portray itself as a victim of terrorism to secure global assistance. “Pakistan has several objectives: first, it wants to exert pressure on Afghanistan; second, it seeks to gain financial and military resources from the world. The third objective is that they want to show the world they are victims of terrorism to garner international support.”
It is noteworthy that since the Islamic Emirate took power, Pakistani political and military officials have repeatedly claimed that members of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan have been present on Afghan soil and using it against their country; however, the Islamic Emirate has assured repeatedly that no threat emanates from Afghan soil against other countries, including Pakistan.
ENDS
