Pakistan Summons Taliban Chargé d’Affaires Amid Rising Tensions Over Karachi Attack
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the Taliban’s chargé d’affaires in Islamabad following a recent deadly attack in Karachi, issuing a stern warning. According to the ministry, Pakistan’s ambassador in Kabul has conveyed a similar message to the Taliban-run foreign ministry.
Tahir Andarabi, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that this move came after some Afghan nationals, including a person detained alive, were identified as involved in the terrorist attack in Karachi. He claimed that this incident demonstrates the use of Afghan territory and some Afghan nationals to organize attacks inside Pakistan.
These developments come as Hamdullah Fetrat, deputy spokesperson for the Taliban administration, announced that Pakistan’s army airstrikes last night on parts of Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar provinces killed 38 civilians and injured 163 others. Pakistani officials, however, claim that at least 29 militants were killed in the operation.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban administration of failing to take effective action against armed groups operating in Afghan territory. Taliban officials have rejected these accusations, stating that Islamabad should look for its security problems within Pakistan’s own borders.
The ongoing verbal and military tensions between the two sides have raised concerns about expanding insecurity along the border. Despite the Taliban’s repeated commitments to prevent the use of Afghan soil against other countries, recurring accusations have sparked questions about the level of control and accountability the Taliban administration holds over armed groups.
