Pakistan Sets Conditions for Continued Talks with Taliban Amid Security Concerns

The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that the continuation of negotiations with Kabul hinges on addressing terrorism and security concerns. The ministry criticized the Taliban’s inflexibility and pointed to threats posed by extremist groups.

Pakistan Outlines Conditions for Ongoing Talks with Kabul

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry has emphasized the need to pursue negotiations with the Afghan ruling regime, but these discussions are conditional upon curbing armed groups and addressing Islamabad’s security fears. Spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan stated in a press conference that without establishing a reliable mechanism to prevent terrorist activities, no tangible outcomes from these engagements will be achieved.

He further noted that since the Taliban regained control in August 2021, Pakistan has maintained ongoing interactions with Kabul and has utilized regional capacities and mediation from various countries to resolve disputes. However, these efforts have not yielded concrete results due to the Taliban’s lack of flexibility.

Threats from Extremist Groups to Pakistan and Neighboring Countries

The spokesperson referred to credible reports indicating the existence of more than twenty extremist organizations within Afghanistan, asserting that their presence poses a serious threat to Pakistan and neighboring countries, including China and Uzbekistan. He emphasized that diplomatic channels remain open, but given the outlined security concerns, Pakistan is prepared to resume dialogue with Afghanistan.

Silence on New York Times Reports

In response to questions from journalists regarding a recent New York Times report about secret meetings between Pakistani military officials and leaders of armed factions opposing the Taliban, Sajjad Haider Khan refrained from confirming or denying the allegations. He reiterated his country’s core stance that unproductive talks without genuine control of terrorism emanating from Afghan territory hold no value.