Pakistan Ties Economic Engagement with Afghanistan to Taliban Action Against Militants
Pakistan has announced that any meaningful economic cooperation with Afghanistan will remain on hold until the Taliban take decisive action to curb the activities of extremist and anti-Pakistan groups operating from Afghan soil. In addition, diplomatic talks will be suspended unless progress is made on this front.
At a weekly press conference on Thursday, Tahir Hussain Andrabi, spokesman for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, cited recent deadly attacks in Islamabad and the Wana district, saying the attackers had operated from Afghanistan. “We cannot be victims of terrorism and simultaneously be expected to engage in sustainable trade. Without security, the economy is meaningless,” he said.
His remarks were in response to a directive from the Taliban administration urging Afghan traders to reduce business with Pakistan—an action that Islamabad has labeled as an act of ingratitude given the preferential trade benefits extended to Kabul.
Andrabi emphasized that despite Pakistan’s economic assistance to Afghanistan, the Taliban have failed to curb security threats emanating from their territory. “We have provided extensive facilities for transit, trade, and imports, but unfortunately, the Taliban have not taken effective measures against the groups threatening us from within Afghanistan,” he added.
The Pakistani spokesman rejected claims by some Taliban officials that they are unable to control the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), calling such statements irresponsible. “The Taliban claim full control over Afghanistan, so how is it that terrorists from their soil are able to harm us?” he questioned.
He also warned that any future dialogue with the Taliban would be contingent on tangible action against extremist groups. Andrabi emphasized that ensuring the safety of Pakistani citizens remains Islamabad’s top priority, and without security, there can be no justification for expanding economic ties.
As cross-border terrorist attacks intensify along the Afghanistan-Pakistan frontier, tensions between the two countries have escalated to a new level. Pakistani officials are demanding greater accountability from the Taliban, who they accuse of allowing armed groups to find safe haven in Afghan territory—a sanctuary that the Taliban administration has yet to dismantle through concrete measures.
