Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has said that the Afghan Taliban have shown a willingness to address Islamabad’s concerns over the presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants operating from Afghan territory.
The announcement followed a recent visit by Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, to Kabul, where he held talks with senior Taliban officials, including Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani. Discussions focused on cross-border security, the threat posed by the TTP, and ongoing efforts to counter drug trafficking.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, speaking at a press conference on Thursday, said the Afghan Taliban were “receptive” to the concerns raised and that active engagement between the two sides was ongoing. He acknowledged that terrorist sanctuaries across the border remain one of the key stumbling blocks in bilateral relations.
Pakistani officials have described the Taliban’s latest position as offering cautious optimism on what remains one of the most contentious issues between the two governments.
Islamabad has long accused the Afghan Taliban of sheltering TTP militants since the group’s return to power nearly four years ago. The breakdown of a brief ceasefire between the Pakistani government and TTP in November 2022 further escalated tensions. Authorities in Pakistan estimate that approximately 4,000 TTP fighters are currently active within Afghanistan.
Pakistani officials have warned that continued cross-border militancy could undermine diplomatic ties with the Taliban administration.
While Islamabad pushes for decisive action, the Afghan Taliban have consistently denied the presence of TTP or any other foreign terrorist groups on Afghan soil.
