Asif says TTP still using Afghan soil against Pakistan

Claims certain ‘camaraderie’ exists between two sides as they fought NATO together

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is still using the Afghan soil to launch attacks against Pakistan, especially in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

In an interview with the US broadcaster, Voice of America, Asif said: “Islamabad has good relations with the ruling Taliban government in Kabul. However, the Afghan authorities have not succeeded in stopping the use of their territory in attacks on Pakistan.”

The federal minister said the matter had been brought up and discussed last month during a meeting between a high-ranking delegation — including Asif and the ISI DG Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum — and the Afghan officials.

“During the meeting, the Taliban expressed their determination to deal with this problem.”

The Afghan authorities said that they would not allow their land to be used for terrorism against any country, the defence minister added.

He said that he believed the Afghan Taliban were “distancing” themselves from the proscribed outfit, however, due to the fact that they fought against Nato together in the past, certain “camaraderie” existed between the two sides.

During the interview, Asif also alleged that resettlement of the TTP leaders in Pakistan was done through a “programme”.

“[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister] Imran Khan has been signalling throughout his political career that he is ideologically supportive of the Taliban. At various points, the international media has even referred to him as 'Taliban Khan'," he said.

He added that the TTP was in the possession of advanced equipment left behind by the US after its withdrawal, further alleging that India too was still helping them.

The minister highlighted that the people of tribal areas and K-P were not ready to “co-exist” with the Taliban, saying: “It is noteworthy that people are protesting unarmed against the return of the Taliban.”

He also shared that the Taliban were “undermining their gains through restrictions on women”.

Speaking on the matter of the political scenario in Pakistan, Asif said that Imran's "stance keeps changing".

"Imran Khan is blaming the army. I don't know where Imran Khan stands regarding the US and the army at this time. Starting from America, he has now reached the Punjab IG for conspiring against him.

“I don't understand from his recent statements, whether he stands with the establishment or not, and whether he wants negotiations with the government or not.

“There is no clear stand for them. (Former NA speaker and PTI leader) Asad Qaiser and others talk about dialogue. It should be a national dialogue in which the establishment, the media, and members of civil society are present. Only then can national dialogue be successful.”