Pakistan has dismissed a warning reportedly issued by the Taliban leader to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as insufficient, saying the main problem remains the lack of verifiable action by the Taliban against militant groups.
A Pakistani source told Express Tribune that the Taliban had unofficially informed Islamabad that Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada warned the TTP to stop attacks inside Pakistan or risk losing Taliban support.
According to the source, the message was part of the Taliban’s effort to show it is responding to Pakistan’s security concerns.
However, Pakistani officials consider the move inadequate and say such warnings have not led to any meaningful change on the ground.
A senior Pakistani official, speaking anonymously, said there has been no noticeable shift in the Taliban’s approach towards terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan.
The official added that the recruitment of Afghan citizens into terrorist networks continues, despite repeated Taliban claims that they are taking measures to address Pakistan’s concerns.
"The problem is not the absence of assurances, the problem is the absence of verifiable action," the Pakistani official said.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to prevent further deterioration in relations between the two sides are continuing. Senior Pakistani and Taliban officials held week-long talks in early April in the Chinese city of Urumqi.
China described the talks as constructive and positive and expressed hope that the process would lead to a broader understanding between the two sides.
Despite the discussions, Pakistani officials say attacks originating from safe havens across the border continue.
A joint statement issued by Pakistan and China after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China also referred to threats posed by terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan. The statement called on Kabul to take decisive action against the TTP, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement and other terrorist networks.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have persisted in recent months and have at times escalated into border clashes. In October last year, fighting at several border crossings caused casualties on both sides and led to the temporary closure of key transit routes.
Express Tribune reported that the situation further deteriorated in February and March this year, with exchanges of fire and increased military activity along parts of the border. Pakistan’s cross-border strikes on alleged TTP hideouts inside Afghanistan have also further strained relations.
Islamabad says it has repeatedly shared evidence with the Taliban of TTP leaders and fighters being present inside Afghanistan. The Taliban, however, denies that Afghan territory is being used against other countries.
Pakistani officials say the gap between Taliban promises and actions continues to fuel distrust and remains a major obstacle to any meaningful improvement in relations between the two sides.
