Former Pakistani envoy for Afghanistan Asif Durrani said Pakistan will continue striking targets inside Afghanistan as long as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militants launch attacks on Pakistan from Afghan territory.
Speaking to Afghanistan International on Friday, Durrani said tensions and conflict between the Afghan Taliban and Pakistan would continue until the threat posed by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was eliminated.
Citing the UN Charter
The former Pakistani special representative defended Pakistan’s cross-border strikes, describing them as legitimate. He said Pakistan was acting in accordance with international law because it faced a direct terrorist threat.
He argued that the UN Charter clearly recognises the right of states to respond when threatened by terrorism.
Under Article 51 of the UN Charter, states have the inherent right of self-defence if an armed attack occurs. Pakistan has relied on this provision to justify its strikes, arguing that the Taliban has failed to prevent TTP militants from operating.
Asked whether Afghan Taliban forces could also become targets of Pakistani operations, Durrani said Pakistan’s sole objective was to target TTP militants.
Responding to questions about civilian casualties caused by Pakistani air and artillery strikes, he claimed TTP fighters do not live in isolated bases but instead operate from residential areas, making such locations unavoidable targets during military operations.
Accusing India
Durrani also accused India of playing a role in the crisis, alleging that New Delhi supports the Taliban and that, with Indian backing, the Taliban has provided sanctuary to groups such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Balochistan Liberation Army.
Asked why the Taliban, once regarded as a close partner of Islamabad, had become an adversary, Durrani said the group had grown more confident after returning to power in Kabul and had become a patron of TTP, a development he described as a major concern for Pakistan.
He warned that unless an effective diplomatic solution is found, Pakistan’s military operations inside Afghanistan will continue.
