Interim Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani announced on Wednesday that the Afghan government has taken action and arrested some individuals responsible for terrorist attacks in Pakistan. This news was shared by Jilani during a press conference at the Foreign Office, highlighting the cooperation between the two countries in addressing cross-border terrorism issues.
This development comes at a time when Pakistan has been facing an increase in terror incidents. The banned militant group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended a ceasefire agreement in November last year, resulting in a surge of terrorist activities. There have been growing concerns about cross-border terrorism originating from Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s military leadership and former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who recently completed his term, have both expressed concerns about the presence of “safe havens” and the freedom of action enjoyed by militants in Afghanistan. They have also raised concerns about the involvement of Afghan citizens in terrorist attacks in Pakistan, urging the Afghan government to take action.
However, in a separate interview with BBC Pashto, Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, took a more aggressive stance. He advised Pakistan to address its own internal issues instead of pointing fingers at others.
Recent reports indicate that Afghanistan’s supreme leader has warned Taliban members against carrying out attacks outside the country. However, the Afghan authorities have also claimed that they have killed or captured dozens of banned Islamic State (IS) militants from Pakistan in the past year.
Efforts are being made between Pakistan and Afghanistan for bilateral cooperation to address the issue of militants seeking refuge in Afghanistan. Serious negotiations are underway to find a solution to this problem, as stated by the additional inspector-general and head of the CTD’s KP chapter, Shaukat Abbas.
In a United Nations report, it was revealed that the TTP and other groups affiliated with the Taliban and Al Qaeda are providing Nato-caliber weapons to the militant IS group. These groups continue to pose a significant threat not just in conflict zones but also in neighboring countries.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Jilani emphasized that the caretaker government’s primary responsibility is to ensure free and fair elections. He clarified that the election commission is responsible for the conduct of the elections, not the interim government. He further stated that the caretaker government is a non-political setup and will not engage in power politics at the international level.
In regards to the upcoming ODI World Cup to be held in India, Jilani expressed hope that the Pakistani team will be provided complete security by New Delhi. He also reiterated that any talks with India should be based on Pakistan’s principled position and stressed the need for a resolution to the Kashmir issue that aligns with the aspirations of the people of the valley and the UN resolutions.