Pakistan insists on written guarantees from Taliban

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan on Thursday cautiously welcomed a declaration issued by more than 1,000 Afghan Ulema in Kabul, noting that its effectiveness will hinge on written assurances from the Afghan Taliban leadership, something Islamabad has repeatedly sought but has yet to receive.

Addressing his weekly news briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Islamabad had taken "positive note" of the Kabul gathering's five-point joint declaration, which warned that anyone conducting "military operations beyond Afghanistan's borders" would be considered an act of rebellion and punished for violating the Emir's orders.

The statement, widely seen as the strongest internal religious endorsement against cross-border terrorism, did not mention Pakistan by name but appeared aimed at groups such as the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

"If segments of Afghan society realise the gravity of the matter that their soil is being used not just by the TTP, FAK and FAH but also by their own nationals to perpetrate terrorism against Pakistan, such realisation is positive and welcome," Andrabi said.

However, he quickly added that Pakistan would "wait, see and evaluate" the document. "Commitments made in the past by the Afghan Taliban regime have not been fulfilled. That is exactly why, even during mediated talks, Pakistan insisted on written assurances."

The nuanced response underscores Islamabad's deep frustration with Kabul after a string of deadly attacks inside Pakistan traced back to groups operating from Afghan soil. Officials privately say they believe only a formal decree from the Taliban's supreme leader could carry the authority needed to curb militant networks with long-standing ties to the Afghan Taliban.

The Foreign Office also addressed the latest friction over humanitarian aid corridors. Pakistan recently opened border crossings to allow aid convoys into Afghanistan, but the Afghan Taliban administration publicly rejected the move and threatened to block bilateral trade.

Andrabi called Kabul's stance "unprecedented" for a country facing dire economic and humanitarian conditions.

"From our end, the aid convoy has been cleared," he said. "Whether the Afghan Taliban regime wishes to receive this humanitarian assistance or not is up to them. It would be unprecedented that a state in need of assistance refuses it."

Pakistan, he stressed, remains willing to facilitate aid "as part of our affinity and care for the brotherly people of Afghanistan".

The cautious tone reflects what Pakistani officials describe as a widening gap between the Taliban's public commitments and actions on the ground. Islamabad has repeatedly conveyed that cross-border attacks including the November 11 attack in Islamabad and the November 24 assault on an FC camp in Peshawar are unacceptable.

While Thursday's briefing did not detail new measures, Andrabi reiterated that Pakistan will continue to seek firm, written guarantees that Afghan territory will not be used against Pakistan.

Diplomatic sources say Islamabad views the Ulema Council declaration as a potentially important shift because it signals internal religious pressure within Afghanistan against militant adventurism.

But they also caution that previous commitments including the Taliban's earlier pledge that Afghan soil would not be used against other states have not translated into concrete action.

On questions about US lawmakers expressing concern over rights issues in Pakistan, Andrabi said Islamabad maintains open communication with Congress and that Pakistan's position is "fully explained" through diplomatic channels.

He also confirmed that Pakistan welcomes the US notification for a $686 million sustainment package for its F-16 fleet, calling it part of regular defence cooperation.