Pak Official Says Taliban Must Do More As Militancy Rises Near Border
A senior Pakistani official has raised alarm over a resurgence of militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, urging the Taliban to cooperate with Islamabad in addressing escalating insecurity along the shared border.
Speaking during a security meeting in Islamabad on Monday, Deputy Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry said terrorist incidents in Pakistan’s border regions have intensified, resulting in mounting casualties among security forces.
He stressed that without full political backing from the federal government, security agencies would be unable to respond effectively to the growing threats.
Chaudhry said that Pakistan and Afghanistan are neighbours and brothers, noting Pakistan’s longstanding support for peace in Afghanistan. He added that Pakistan has made great sacrifices and it is now time for Afghanistan to fulfil its responsibilities.
The minister added that more than 90,000 Pakistanis have lost their lives in terrorist attacks over the years. He warned that the ongoing violence could have consequences beyond Pakistan’s borders if left unaddressed.
Pakistani authorities have repeatedly accused the Taliban administration in Kabul of sheltering members of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the banned militant group responsible for numerous attacks across the country. The Taliban, however, denies offering sanctuary to the TTP.
