Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Sunday that with the establishment of a joint monitoring and verification mechanism, the responsibility would fall on Kabul to take action against terrorists using Afghan soil.
A second round of talks between Pakistani and Afghan Taliban delegations began in Istanbul on October 25, after days of border hostilities, but Islamabad’s long-standing concern over terrorist attacks coming from Kabul remained a major point of contention, resulting in a stalemate. A breakthrough came after Turkiye and Qatar saved the dialogue process for the second time in less than a week, following Pakistan’s announcement on October 29 that talks had “failed” and that its negotiators were preparing to return home.
The talks produced a three-point understanding: the continuation of the ceasefire, the establishment of a monitoring and verification mechanism to ensure peace, and sanctions for violations. The operational details of that mechanism are expected to be finalized when the “principals,” senior representatives of both sides, meet again in Istanbul on November 6.
speaking in Geographic news On the ‘Naya Pakistan’ programme, the Information Minister responded to a question on the follow-up mechanism discussed in Istanbul, stating that the activities of the last few days would be reviewed and the modalities of a joint mechanism would be discussed.
“The responsibility lies with the Afghan regime because its territory is being used for terrorism in Pakistan by Fitna-al-Khawarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan“he explained. “For Pakistan, this will be an additional forum to provide evidence and the Afghan Taliban regime has to take action. If they do not act, they will receive punishment.”
Fitna-al-Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, while Balochistan-based groups have been designated Fitna-al-Hindustan to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilization across Pakistan.
When asked if Pakistan would respond to terror attacks by attacking targets in Afghanistan once the mechanism is in place, Tarar said it would depend on the situation.
“If the situation is very serious and Pakistan has the right to respond within international law and the UN Charter, then it depends on the situation that arises,” he replied.
“Once the mechanism is established, there is joint verification and evidence is presented, then any party that violates the agreement will be punished. But it depends on the situation,” he added. “Now the Afghan Taliban have no room to make excuses like before. Now that third parties are involved, they will have to take action.”
Responding to a question about Afghanistan’s offer to hand over terror suspects to Pakistan, Tarar explained that the Pakistani government had rejected the offer and questioned why the Afghan Taliban administration was issuing such statements after the talks.
“The issue is clear: Pakistan has previously demanded that any terrorist who poses a threat to Pakistan be controlled or arrested,” he said. “However, the Afghan side says that they are Pakistani citizens and will be handed over… I think these new claims are distorted facts. We immediately proposed a handover through a border post – it is a long-standing position.
“I don’t understand why they have to give these statements and complicate the situation.”
Tarar also called the Afghan Taliban government a “fractured regime” that does not have full control of Afghanistan.
“There are fragments and not all factions are under control. There is unity of thought between civil and military leaders. [in Pakistan] and they (the Afghan Taliban) should stop hurling accusations at us. “This is propaganda, to which we gave an appropriate response.”
Border skirmishes and talks
Pakistan and Afghanistan have seen worsening ties in recent weeks, including border skirmishes, counter-statements and accusations.
Hostilities began earlier this month when an attack was launched against Pakistan from Afghanistan on the night of October 11. The attack followed an allegation by the Afghan Taliban of Pakistani airstrikes against Afghanistan, an allegation that Islamabad has neither confirmed nor denied.
For its part, Islamabad has long demanded that the Taliban prevent terrorist groups from using its soil against Pakistan. The Taliban, however, deny the accusation of allowing terrorists to operate from Afghan soil.
Meanwhile, Pakistan continues to grapple with the issue of terrorism and has suffered multiple casualties among security forces in intelligence-based operations.
After the initial skirmish on October 11, many others occurred along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Meanwhile, the Islamabad attacks also targeted the camps of the Gul Bahadur group in Afghanistan.
Ultimately, the two sides met for talks in Doha, resulting in a temporary ceasefire, as well as a commitment to meet again in Istanbul to work on mechanisms for lasting peace and stability between the two countries.
Türkiye and Qatar have deep ties with Pakistan, while Qatar also played an important role in negotiations between the Afghan Taliban and NATO forces.
