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JAKARTA: Pakistan\u2019s military spokesperson said this week that relations with Afghanistan could be repaired if the Taliban government stops militants from using Afghan territory for cross-border attacks, while ruling out talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militant group and warning that Islamabad could act in self-defense if Kabul failed to address its security concerns.<\/p>\n
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan deteriorated sharply after the Taliban returned to power five years ago when the US withdrew its troops. Pakistan has seen a surge in militant attacks in its western provinces bordering Afghanistan since then. Islamabad accuses Kabul of facilitating such attacks by supporting militant groups such as the TTP, which Afghanistan denies.<\/p>\n
Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, director general of the Inter Services Public Relations, told Arab News that Pakistan\u2019s dispute was not with Afghanistan or its people, but with the Taliban authorities in Kabul. He described the government in Afghanistan as a \u201cnon-inclusive, non-representative regime.\u201d<\/p>\n
The military official said Pakistan had only one demand from the Taliban government.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd the world knows it. They know it. And that is, don\u2019t sponsor terrorism inside Pakistan,\u201d Chaudhry said. \u201cIt\u2019s a very simple, very rational, very objective demand. One line which can fix everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told Al Arabiya English on Friday that Kabul wanted continued dialogue and cooperation with Pakistan.<\/p>\n
Mujahid denied that Afghanistan allows the TTP to operate from its territory, or that it supports armed groups attacking other countries. He also welcomed a greater role by Saudi Arabia in mediating between Kabul and Islamabad.<\/p>\n
Relations between the neighbors have deteriorated sharply over the issue and have repeatedly spilled into armed confrontation.<\/p>\n
Chaudhry said the Taliban authorities could fix the relationship between the neighbors by acting against militant training camps, leadership and logistical networks that Islamabad alleges are based in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
He accused the Taliban authorities of sheltering militant leaders in Afghanistan and providing them weapons and logistical support.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are in Kabul, they are in Kandahar. They are in other places,\u201d Chaudhry said. \u201cDon\u2019t shelter them. Don\u2019t provide them arms. Don\u2019t provide them the logistics support.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chaudhry said the Taliban should honor commitments made under the 2020 Doha agreement, which included assurances that Afghan territory would not be used for terrorism.<\/p>\n
He warned that Pakistan reserves the right to act in self-defense if the Taliban did not address Islamabad\u2019s concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is up to them. If they don\u2019t do it, then Pakistan has all the right of self-defense,\u201d he said. \u201cTo go to any extent to fix that problem.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked whether Islamabad could resume negotiations with the TTP, Chaudhry ruled out talks. \u201cWe don\u2019t talk with terrorists. So, it\u2019s off the table. We only kill terrorists.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chaudhry reiterated that Islamabad\u2019s position was that the dispute between the neighbors was not permanent and could be resolved if Kabul acted on Pakistan\u2019s security concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo how they (ties) can be fixed? Don\u2019t send terrorists inside Pakistan,\u201d he said, adding that whether relations improve now depends on the Taliban authorities acting against militants.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s up to them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n