Pakistan Rejects Taliban’s Conditions for Security Cooperation
The Pakistani military has firmly rejected all conditions set forth by the Taliban administration for political and security cooperation, stating that its sole focus remains on combating terrorism in the region.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad on Monday, November 2, military spokesperson Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry said that the Taliban’s demands hold no significance for Pakistan. “What matters is the eradication of terrorism,” he stated, adding that Pakistan’s security depends on its own military forces, not on the Taliban’s promises.
Chaudhry asserted that Pakistan has never welcomed the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan and continues to demand tangible steps by them against terrorist groups. He emphasized that militants who have fled to Afghan territory must be arrested and handed over to Pakistan to face prosecution under its constitution.
Referring to ongoing military offensives against banned organizations such as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Chaudhry noted that the operations are ongoing and have dealt significant losses to these groups.
He also revealed that during the previous round of talks in Istanbul, Islamabad’s representatives delivered a clear and stern message to the Taliban. While the Taliban’s anti-terror measures are considered an internal matter, Chaudhry said, Pakistan expects concrete and actionable results.
The military spokesperson further highlighted the links between terrorist groups and drug trafficking networks, stating that opium serves as a major source of income for these groups. According to Chaudhry, the presence of drug traffickers and warlords within Afghanistan’s political structures poses a serious threat to regional stability.
Citing documented evidence, Chaudhry claimed that Taliban-affiliated fighters have been involved in some recent terrorist attacks on Pakistani soil. He reiterated that no negotiations will be held with terrorist organizations.
This hardline stance comes ahead of a planned meeting between the Taliban administration and the Pakistani government in Turkey on November 6. The new round of discussions follows the conclusion of a six-day dialogue previously held in Istanbul.
