The White House has stated that there is no evidence indicating that Afghanistan refugees in Pakistan or along its border have been involved in acts of extremism.
This statement comes in response to concerns raised by Pakistan’s army about the presence of militants finding safe havens in Afghanistan.
During a press briefing on Monday, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby reassured reporters, saying, “We’ve seen no indication that Afghan refugees in Pakistan or along that border are guilty of acts of terrorism.”
Kirby also expressed gratitude to Pakistan for its generosity in providing a safe and secure place for many Afghans seeking refuge.
He emphasized that the United States will continue to collaborate with Pakistan in addressing legitimate terrorism threats.
Last week, the Pakistan military reported that nine soldiers lost their lives after militants attacked an army base in the southern Balochistan province, which shares borders with Afghanistan and Iran. Additionally, three soldiers were killed in a subsequent exchange of fire in the region.
In response to these incidents, the Pakistan army expressed “serious concerns” about the availability of safe havens and freedom of action for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant umbrella group in Afghanistan. The army vowed to respond effectively to such attacks, deeming them intolerable.
While Balochistan, a resource-rich region, has long experienced an ethnic Baloch insurgency, it has also witnessed the presence of militants who seek to overthrow the Pakistani government and establish strict Islamic law in the predominantly Muslim country of 220 million people. These militants have escalated their attacks since the termination of a ceasefire agreement with the government in late 2022, including a devastating bombing of a mosque in the northwestern city of Peshawar earlier this year, claiming the lives of over 100 people.
It is worth noting that Taliban has consistently denied allegations that it permits militant groups to launch attacks on Pakistan from Afghanistan’s territory.
