ISLAMABAD — Pakistan has once again called on the Taliban to take “concrete and immediate action” against members of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Taliban (TTP) fighters in Afghanistan, warning that their continued presence threatens bilateral relations and regional cooperation.
Speaking at a press briefing Friday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said that during recent high-level meetings between Islamabad and Taliban officials, Pakistan firmly raised its concerns about the activities of TTP operatives across the border.
“This is an issue we continue to emphasize,” he said, adding that it carries serious implications for Pakistan’s security, its relationship with Afghanistan, and broader economic and regional integration efforts.
Khan emphasized that ongoing cross-border attacks originating from Afghan territory have not only undermined Pakistan’s national security, but also jeopardized initiatives aimed at regional economic cooperation.
He expressed hope that the Taliban leadership now recognizes the severity of the TTP threat and will work alongside Pakistan to address it.
Tensions along the shared border have escalated in recent days, particularly in the North Waziristan region. Pakistani military officials said they eliminated 30 suspected militants during an attempted cross-border incursion last week. On June 28, a terrorist attack in the same area killed 13 Pakistani soldiers.
The military also reported that it later killed an additional 14 members of the group in subsequent operations.
Pakistan alleges that the TTP uses Afghan territory as a base for planning and conducting attacks inside Pakistan, a claim the Taliban have repeatedly denied, asserting they will not allow Afghan soil to be used to threaten neighboring nations.
