ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has dismissed what it called the Afghan Taliban’s pretence of dialogue, insisting it will not allow such gestures to shield those who threaten its people. The strong response from Islamabad came after Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in an interview with Al Arabiya English that Afghanistan wanted talks with Pakistan and called for stronger intelligence-sharing mechanisms.
In a statement on Saturday, the information ministry said Pakistan had consistently pursued dialogue and constructive engagement with the Afghan Taliban, but would not permit the pretence of dialogue to become a cover for those threatening its citizens. The ministry was reacting to Mujahid’s remarks a day earlier, in which he also welcomed a larger Saudi role in mediating between Kabul and Islamabad, describing Riyadh as a friend of both countries that could play a positive role in resolving differences.
Pakistan also rejected Kabul’s warning of retaliatory action if Islamabad carried out military operations inside Afghanistan. The government said the Taliban regime should dismantle terrorist networks operating from its territory instead of deflecting responsibility. Mujahid had warned Pakistan against conducting military operations inside Afghanistan and said Kabul would defend its sovereignty against any such action.
The Afghan Taliban spokesperson further denied Islamabad’s assertion that Afghan territory was being used by militant groups to launch attacks inside Pakistan. “If Pakistan invokes Article 51 to violate the sanctity of Afghan territory, Afghanistan has the right to defend its country, and we will do so,” he said, warning of a crushing response to any violation of Afghan sovereignty.
Pakistan reiterated that it had the will and capability to eliminate terrorist threats and would take all necessary measures, in accordance with international law, to protect its citizens, territory and sovereignty. Officials linked the Afghan Taliban’s warning to the deadly terrorist attack on civilians and police officials offering Friday prayers in Kohat, underscoring the gravity of the security challenge.
The exchange highlights the deepening strain in relations between Islamabad and Kabul, even as the Afghan Taliban publicly expresses openness to dialogue. Pakistan’s message was clear: it will not accept the pretence of dialogue while terrorist networks continue to operate with impunity across the border. The government demanded concrete action against those networks rather than rhetorical gestures or warnings of retaliation.
While the Afghan Taliban spokesperson sought to project a willingness to engage, including through Saudi mediation, Pakistan’s response suggests it views such overtures with skepticism. Islamabad has long urged Kabul to take verifiable steps against militant groups, and the latest statement reinforces that a continuation of the pretence of dialogue without action will not be tolerated. The onus, Pakistan made clear, remains on the Afghan Taliban to dismantle the infrastructure of terror or face the consequences of its inaction.
Source: Dawn News