The army chief said on Monday Pakistan would not seek talks with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in a major policy statement that would step up pressure on the Afghan Taliban to take action against the terrorist safe havens.
Speaking with the tribal elders in Peshawar, General Asim Munir emphasised that Pakistan would only talk to the Afghan government, stressing there would be no talks with terrorists.
“The surge in terrorism in recent past is a futile effort on the part of terrorists to get the talks re-initiated, however, there is no option for these terrorists except to submit to the writ of state of Pakistan before they are decimated, if they persist on their wrong path,” Gen Asim Munir told tribal elders.
Pakistan has abandoned the peace process after the change of army command in November last year. The statement came against the backdrop of renewed push by the Afghan Taliban, seeking talks between Pakistan and the outlawed TTP.
The country’s high-powered National Security Committee (NSC) has admitted that holding talks with the TTP was a wrong policy. But this was the first time that the army chief officially confirmed that Pakistan was no longer seeking talks with the TTP.
The army chief also expressed concerns over the involvement of Afghan nationals in the recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan.
“Terrorism has no place in Pakistan and the involvement of Afghan nationals in terrorist incidents in Pakistan is detrimental to regional peace, stability and deviation from the Doha Peace Agreement by the interim Afghan government,” he said.
Official sources said that Afghan nationals were involved in a recent attack on the Zhob Garrison in Balochistan and Pakistan had already conveyed its concerns to the Afghan government.
#ISPR - @OfficialDGISPR
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) August 7, 2023
General Syed Asim Munir, COAS visited, #Peshawar today. #COAS laid floral wreath at Yaadgar-e-Shuhada at Fort Bala Hisar (Headquarters Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - North) & offered Fatiha.
COAS met tribal elders from Newly Merged Districts… pic.twitter.com/3Sv1guxXQP
Separately, the Foreign Office spokesperson, at a news briefing, confirmed that Pakistan had been in contact with the Embassy of Afghanistan and with the Afghan authorities.
“We have shared with them the discovery that we have made with regard to the identity of terrorists, who were involved in attack on personnel of the Pakistan Army in the attack in the Zhob Garrison in Balochistan, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said.
“We have reiterated on several occasions that the Afghan soil should not be used to foment terrorism against Pakistan,” Baloch told reporters.
Following Pakistan’s strong protest, Afghan Defence Minister Mullah Yaqub said on Sunday the Taliban supreme leader had declared that Afghan citizens’ involvement in attacks outside Afghanistan was not Jihad.
But Pakistan wants action against the TTP by the Afghan Taliban.
“Pakistan has concerns over sanctuaries available to banned outfits and liberty of action they enjoy on Afghan soil. Pakistan will spare no effort to dismantle terrorist networks and protect its citizens at all costs,” Gen Asim warned.
He reminded the Afghan Taliban: “Is there any reward for good other than good”? Gen Asim’s statement seems to suggest Pakistan’s generosity of hosting millions of Afghan refugees for decades and even support for the Afghan Taliban.
“With the unflinching resolve of the nation, Pakistan is successfully countering terrorism to enable a stable and peaceful environment for socioeconomic development in the area” he added.
On the occasion, the tribal elders assured that the TTP and its ideology would never be acceptable to any tribe and they would continue to stand with the state through thick and thin.
The army chief extended heartfelt homage to the profound sacrifices made by the courageous and steadfast tribes of Pakistan, applauding their unwavering determination to stand united with the security forces in triumphantly combating the scourge of terrorism.
The army chief emphasised the potential of the newly-merged districts (NMDs) and the ongoing efforts for uplifting the socio-economic growth under the umbrella of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).
“KPK [Khyber Pakhtunkhwa] province is blessed with huge reserves of mines and minerals, also beautiful areas for tourism, which will certainly change the destiny of the area for the good of the people,” he continued.
“Pak Army stands with our tribal brothers and will never leave them alone as over the years they have given innumerable sacrifices for the peace and prosperity of the motherland. It’s time to develop all tribal areas and concentrate on youth.”
The army chief reiterated the resolve of Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) and other law-enforcement agencies in their fight against terrorism, till the elimination of this menace from the country.
He reiterated his resolve to finish the “peril of narco which is becoming lifeline for these TTP Khawaraj”. He also said that propaganda by the inimical forces against the armed forces of Pakistan, would be dealt as per law.
Paying tribute to brave tribesmen, officers and soldiers of the army, FC, Levies, Khasadars and police, the army chief vowed that the sacrifices of the Shuhada would not go in vain and complete peace would return to Pakistan.
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