FO rejects Afghanistan remarks regarding TTP

Islamabad: Foreign Office on Monday rejected Afghanistan’s claims on Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan activities in Afghanistan.

In response to the media queries about the remarks of the Press Office of the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs of 27th June regarding TTP’s activities in Afghanistan, FO spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said the assertions of the Afghan side were contrary to facts on ground and various reports of the UN, which also corroborate the presence and activities of over 5000-strong TTP in Afghanistan.

“Over last many years, TTP has launched several gruesome terrorist attacks inside Pakistan using Afghan soil without any retribution from its hosts. The 12th Report of the UN Monitoring Team, issued in June 2021, acknowledges TTP’s “distinctive anti-Pakistan objectives” and notes its location within Afghanistan “near the border with Pakistan”. TTP following its orchestrated reunification with its splinter groups with the help of Hostile Intelligence Agencies (HIAs), its continued presence in Afghanistan with impunity and its cross-border attacks against Pakistan pose persistent threat to our security and stability,” he said.

Pakistan’s commitment to fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, without any discrimination is unwavering and unambiguous. Pakistan has continued to emphasize the need for meaningful engagement with Afghan side for addressing security and terrorism issues through effective use of Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS), the spokesperson said.

“Pakistan has been making serious and sincere efforts for facilitating intra-Afghan peace process for an inclusive political settlement. We hope that Afghans would seize this opportunity for achieving lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan,” he added.