Pakistan concerned at TTP presence in Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Pakistan Army chief has expressed serious concerns over the safe havens and liberty of action available to TTP in Afghanistan.

But the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has repeatedly said it will not allow the use of Afghan soil against anyone.

On Friday, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen. Syed Asim Munir visited the Quetta Garrison, where he was briefed on recent terrorist attacks in Zhob and Sui.

“The Armed Forces of Pakistan have serious concerns on the safe havens and liberty of action available to Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan in Afghanistan,” the military’s media wing said.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement comes two days after 12 soldiers lost their lives in militant attacks in Zhob and Sui.

“It is expected the interim Afghan government would not allow the use of its soil to perpetrate terror against any country, in the real sense and in line with its commitments made in the Doha Agreement,” it said.

Pakistan has repeatedly raised concerns over the use of Afghan soil by militants for cross-border terrorism. The ISPR also pointed to the involvement of Afghan nationals in such incidents.

“The involvement of Afghan nationals in acts of terrorism in Pakistan is another important concern that needs to be addressed.

“Such attacks are intolerable and would elicit an effective response from the security forces of Pakistan,” it added.

Earlier, Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi had said there was no terrorist group operating in Afghanistan.

He had also asserted no one had evidence to prove that terrorist groups existed in Afghanistan and the caretaker government would not allow anyone to use the territory of the country against any one.

According to him, the problem between TTP and the government of Pakistan has a long history — an issue that existed even before the Islamic Emirate’s takeover.

sa/mud

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