ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has come out swinging with a sharp rebuke for the Afghan Taliban, accusing Kabul’s interim rulers of stretching out recent negotiations only to prolong the temporary ceasefire instead of delivering any real action against terror outfits targeting Pakistan.
In a hard-toned statement, the Foreign Office said it had become “painfully clear” that the Taliban regime used the Turkey-Qatar facilitated mediation process not as a step toward addressing Pakistan’s core security concerns, but as a shield to buy time. According to Islamabad, Kabul spent more energy crafting excuses and technical objections than taking responsibility for militant sanctuaries operating from Afghan soil.
The FO stressed that Pakistan’s primary demand has remained unchanged: decisive and verifiable action against groups such as the TTP and BLA, whose attacks have claimed countless lives and undermined regional stability. Instead of cooperation, the Taliban government has allegedly tried to recast these militants as “refugees,” weaving what Pakistan calls a humanitarian cover story to avoid action.
Officials noted that Pakistan has consistently extended humanitarian support to the Afghan people, including visas for education, medical treatment, and cross-border travel. Despite this goodwill, Islamabad says Kabul has responded with “silence, excuses, and inaction,” turning a security obligation into a political theatre.
The FO also underlined that Pakistan is willing to engage in dialogue, but only with recognised governments — not with militant actors “seeking legitimacy through violence.” While the ceasefire may still be in place, Islamabad warned that a lack of genuine effort from Kabul could force Pakistan to re-evaluate its options in order to protect its citizens.
The statement ended with a clear message: Pakistan’s patience should not be mistaken for weakness, and its expectations from Kabul are neither ambiguous nor optional.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.