ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed Thursday that the presence of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) bases in Afghanistan was the central issue during a recent visit by the country’s special envoy to Kabul.
The ministry said the Pakistani delegation conveyed to Taliban officials that the TTP — a banned militant group responsible for a string of deadly attacks in Pakistan — remains a “critical obstacle” to improving bilateral relations.
While the Foreign Ministry stopped short of directly accusing the Taliban of supporting the TTP, it stated that Islamabad is working through “multiple channels” to address the issue with Afghanistan’s de facto authorities.
Shafqat Ali Khan, spokesperson for the ministry, said the special envoy “reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continued engagement and mutually beneficial bilateral relations with Afghanistan” and “underscored the importance of addressing all concerns, particularly related to security, to strengthen ties.”
The remarks mark a subtle shift in tone. While Pakistani officials have previously accused the Taliban of harboring TTP fighters inside Afghanistan, the ministry’s latest statement avoided directly linking the group’s presence to Taliban support — a departure from previous briefings.
The move comes after weeks of deadly attacks across Pakistan, including several in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Islamabad has publicly expressed frustration over what it sees as the Taliban’s inaction or complicity in allowing TTP fighters to operate from Afghan territory.
Some Pakistani media outlets have reported that the Taliban requested additional time to address Islamabad’s concerns. The Foreign Ministry said it remains hopeful for “progress on this front.”
“It’s unlikely that relations will return to normal until the TTP issue is resolved,” said Pakistani journalist Tahir Khan. “Dialogue is necessary if a workable solution is to be found.”
Taliban officials have not commented publicly on the discussions and have consistently denied the presence of militant groups operating from Afghan soil to destabilize neighboring countries. However, Pakistan’s softer tone suggests it is awaiting concrete action from the Taliban to contain the TTP and ease security tensions.
