Pakistan’s foreign minister has again called on the Taliban to take “tangible and verifiable” steps against militant groups using Afghan soil to carry out cross-border attacks, particularly Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).
In a statement after the conclusion of the sixth trilateral meeting with Taliban and Chinese officials in Kabul, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar raised Islamabad’s concerns directly with Taliban leaders.
“Recently, anti-security attacks in Pakistan have been launched from inside Afghanistan, and the fight against these groups has not made good progress,” the ministry said. “The foreign minister urged the current authorities in Afghanistan to take tangible and verifiable actions against the TTP and the Baloch Liberation Army.”
Dar made the request on the sidelines of the Kabul meeting, where he also warned that Islamabad is dissatisfied with the Taliban’s lack of action. The ministry’s statement added that Pakistan “has not seen verifiable steps” despite repeated demands to curb TTP activities.
China echoed Pakistan’s concerns. During meetings with Taliban leaders, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the Taliban to pay “serious attention” to Beijing’s security worries. “We hope Afghanistan understands our security concerns, because appropriate security cooperation between the two countries will pave the way for Afghanistan’s progress,” Wang said.
Taliban leaders downplayed those security concerns in their own statements. Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi told Wang that “Afghanistan’s soil will not be used against any country.” He added that the trilateral framework provided “an opportunity for practical and focused discussions on expanding cooperation.”
Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Muhammad Sadiq Khan, said the three sides agreed to intensify efforts against regional militant groups. “The three parties committed to strengthen joint efforts against terrorist organizations, including the TTP, the Baloch Liberation Army, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, and other groups in the region,” he said.
Wang, for his part, called China’s relations with the Taliban “developing” and said cooperation “has expanded in various sectors.” Dar described the trilateral meeting as “important” and “a good opportunity to expand mutual cooperation.”
The talks also covered regional connectivity, transit, trade and economic ties.
Pakistan has long accused the TTP of using sanctuaries in Afghanistan to plot and carry out attacks inside its territory. The Taliban reject those allegations, insisting instead that Islamic State Khorasan fighters cross into Afghanistan from outside the country.
