Balochistan caretaker Minister for Information, Jan Achakzai, accused the Taliban of playing a double game instead of cooperating in handing over individuals involved in terrorist attacks in Pakistan using Afghan soil. He stated that Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Taliban to extradite the mentioned terrorists with supporting evidence. However, the Taliban has not responded positively to these requests.
Achakzai emphasized Pakistan’s determination to fulfill its demands and mentioned the involvement of Afghan nationals in recent terrorist acts in Bannu. He highlighted that investigators found Afghan identity cards, confirming the participation of Afghan citizens in these attacks. As a result, Achakzai regarded Afghan refugees carrying Afghanistan’s identity cards and other documents as security risks who will be deported.
Achakzai held the Taliban responsible for preventing any group from utilizing Afghan territory to conduct attacks in Pakistan. He declared that no Afghan would be allowed to cross into Pakistan without a passport and visa, as the caretaker government intends to implement a one-document rule for international border crossings from both sides.
Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister, Anwaarul Haq, previously attributed the recent surge in terrorist attacks to the Taliban, considering it a reaction to the deportation of Afghan nationals. He stated that since the Taliban took control of power in Afghanistan in August 2021, there has been a 60% increase in terrorism and a 500% rise in suicide bombings. Haq stressed that 2,867 innocent civilians lost their lives in Pakistan due to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), operating from Afghanistan. He cited instances where Afghan citizens were involved in suicide attacks and clashes with Pakistani law enforcement agencies.
Pakistan had anticipated long-term peace after the Taliban’s rise to power in Afghanistan and expected decisive action against Pakistan-opposing groups, particularly the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. Haq referred to a United Nations monitoring report, released in July, which explicitly mentioned TTP centers in Afghanistan and an escalation in its activities against Pakistan. However, despite assurances from the Taliban, no action was taken against anti-Pakistan groups.
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