Pakistan To Raise Terrorism Concerns Directly With Taliban, Officials Say
Amid a recent surge in terrorist activity and insecurity, the Pakistani government has announced plans to address the issue of “terrorism” more directly with the Taliban through diplomatic channels.
The decision was made during the second meeting of Pakistan’s counterterrorism committee, held on Saturday in Islamabad and attended by senior security and government officials. The meeting underscored the need for coordinated action in response to the growing threat, which Pakistani authorities claim is increasingly emanating from Afghanistan.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who chaired the session, said both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir support the move. Naqvi also confirmed the nationwide activation of counterterrorism units, with a particular focus on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan—two provinces that have borne the brunt of recent attacks.
The rise in violence has been attributed to groups such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch separatist factions. Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban of providing shelter and support to these militant groups. Officials allege that many of the attacks are planned and coordinated from across the border in Afghanistan.
While the Taliban deny harbouring such militants, various international reports have documented links between Afghan territory and the operations of extremist groups targeting Pakistan. These allegations have further strained already tense relations between the two neighbours.
