Pakistan will not hold talks with any terrorist group: FO

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has said that it never avoided dialogue with any government in Kabul, but it will not negotiate with any terrorist group.

During the weekly press briefing on Friday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said that Pakistan has never refused dialogue with any government in Kabul. However, Pakistan will not hold talks with any terrorist outfit — whether it is the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).

He said that the third round of talks with the Afghan Taliban collapsed in Istanbul on November 7, and appreciated the “sincere efforts” of Qatar and Turkiye for mediating the process.

The spokesperson said that since the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan, attacks on Pakistan from Afghan soil have increased significantly.

“Despite military and civilian losses, Pakistan has exercised maximum restraint during these years and prevented the situation from deteriorating,” he said.

He said that Pakistan had expected that, over time, the Taliban administration would curb these attacks and take concrete action against the banned TTP.

Andrabi said that Pakistan continued to maintain a positive engagement with the Afghan Taliban government during this period, offering cooperation in trade as well as humanitarian sectors. However, unfortunately, instead of taking practical measures, the Taliban administration only made hollow promises.

The spokesperson said that the banned TTP and BLA are declared enemies of Pakistan, and anyone who shelters, supports, or finances them cannot be considered a well-wisher of Pakistan or its people.

He said Pakistan is determined to take all possible measures to ensure its security and protect its citizens.

He expressed regret that the Taliban administration is repeatedly trying to portray the issue of terrorists present in Afghanistan as a humanitarian matter.

He said the Taliban are attempting to present members of the banned TTP and BLA as refugees in Afghanistan, whereas this is not a humanitarian or refugee issue, but a tactic to disguise terrorists as refugees.

The spokesperson said Pakistan is willing to take back any Pakistani residing in Afghanistan, provided they are handed over to Pakistani authorities at the official border crossing — not pushed toward the border armed with modern weapons and equipment.

He added that there are some elements within the Afghan Taliban who do not want confrontation with Pakistan, but a powerful group — which enjoys external funding — is working to escalate tensions between the two countries.

He said that these elements are levelling baseless allegations against Pakistan, and by doing so, they are losing whatever credibility they have left.

The spokesperson said some members of the Taliban administration are trying to give the impression that Pakistan has internal differences over its Afghan policy, which is incorrect. There is complete consensus among the Pakistani public that ordinary people are the biggest victims of terrorist elements.

He said Pakistan’s armed forces are laying down their lives to protect the people’s lives and property, and the entire nation stands with them for the country’s interests and the safety of its citizens.