Former Afghan Official: Pakistan’s War with TTP Is an Internal Matter, Unrelated to Afghans
Mohammad Omar Daudzai, former head of Hamid Karzai’s office, has responded to recent statements by Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, emphasizing that Pakistan’s conflict with Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its disputes with the Taliban administration are internal issues and should not be attributed to the Afghan people.
Daudzai rejected Munir’s claim that approximately 70 percent of TTP fighters are Afghan, describing this as an oversimplification of a complex reality. He explained that if by Afghans one means residents beyond the Durand Line, that is a separate matter; however, the Taliban administration represents less than five percent of Afghanistan’s population and does not speak for all Afghans.
He added that the Afghan people have repeatedly made it clear they do not harbor hostility towards the Pakistani nation. According to Daudzai, Pakistan’s main conflict is with the TTP and possibly some tensions with the Taliban administration, but this should not be interpreted as a war against the Afghan people or be used as a justification for retaliatory actions against Afghan refugees.
Recently, Pakistan’s Army Chief again claimed that a significant portion of TTP fighters are Afghans and urged the Taliban administration to choose either Pakistan or the TTP, a statement that has sparked critical reactions.
Daudzai also recalled that in August 2021, thousands of TTP leaders and members were released from prisons of the former republic government by the Taliban administration. He noted that while the TTP previously fought alongside the Taliban administration against the former Afghan government, the situation has now changed and the group is fighting against Pakistan’s government.
He stated that making broad statements and evading responsibility in the current situation is not a solution but rather exacerbates the crisis. Daudzai warned that targeting innocent Afghans could escalate regional tensions.
The former head of Karzai’s office stressed that what is needed today is transparency and honesty in policymaking. He called on Pakistani authorities to avoid enemy-making politics and refrain from accusing a dignified nation.
