ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has vehemently dismissed allegations made by Afghanistan’s interim government, which accused Pakistan of hosting terrorist training centers. The minister denounced the accusations as baseless and an effort by Kabul to divert attention from its own failures in addressing internal security challenges.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Asif criticized the claims by Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, Acting Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, who alleged that militant groups were being trained in Pakistan for disruptive activities in Afghanistan. Asif countered these accusations by pointing to a United Nations monitoring report that categorically identified Afghanistan as a sanctuary for over two dozen terrorist organizations, including the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), al-Qaeda, and ISIS.
“The report explicitly states that Afghanistan remains a hub for terrorist recruitment and facilitation, particularly for ISIS, which has continued its operations across the region throughout 2024,” said Asif. He emphasized the persistent threat posed by these groups, noting their cross-border activities and growing influence in destabilizing the region.
The defence minister urged Afghanistan’s Taliban-led interim government to honor its commitments to the international community, particularly under the Doha Agreement, by taking decisive steps to dismantle the infrastructure supporting terrorism within its territory. He reiterated that Afghan soil must not be used to launch attacks on neighboring countries, including Pakistan, which has faced an uptick in cross-border assaults by the TTP and other militant factions.
Tensions between the two countries have escalated in recent months, with both sides trading accusations over security lapses and harboring militant groups. While Pakistan has consistently called for enhanced cooperation to address shared security challenges, it has also raised concerns over the Taliban’s failure to curb the activities of ISIS-Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) and the TTP, which Islamabad alleges operate freely within Afghan borders.
The exchange of allegations has strained bilateral relations at a time when regional stability hangs in the balance. Analysts caution that the blame game risks undermining counterterrorism efforts and fostering mistrust. The international community has also expressed concern over the situation, urging both nations to engage in constructive dialogue and collaboration to combat terrorism effectively.
Pakistan, while rejecting the Afghan allegations, remains firm in its stance that sustainable peace in the region can only be achieved if all stakeholders address the root causes of terrorism collectively. The fallout from these allegations underscores the urgent need for trust-building measures to avoid further deterioration of relations between the two neighbors.
