Rise in TTP attacks in Pakistan a major concern: Thomas West

WASHINGTON: Pakistan has been dealing with the challenge of an increase in attacks led by banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and it is a major concern, US State Department’s Special Representative and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Afghanistan Thomas West said in a recent interview.

West said that Pakistan is an important partner of the United States and the two countries will continue to work together.

He thanked Pakistan on his country’s behalf for hosting Afghan refugees for four decades. He also thanked the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for facilitating the refugees.

West said that he had a two-and-a-half day stay in Pakistan two weeks ago, during which he discussed mutual interests in Afghanistan with the Islamabad authorities.

“It was a pleasure to speak with security and civilian officials in Islamabad,” he added.

Sharing the details of his meetings in Pakistan, West said that the challenges faced by the country in dealing with the banned outfit were discussed.

He said that the same concerns were discussed in a meeting with Minister of the State on Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, but said that it is not a new challenge.

West said that Pakistan has been dealing with the challenges linked with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

“The [increase in] attacks led by banned TTP is a challenge that Pakistan has been dealing with,” he said. While speaking about the US ties with the Afghan Taliban, the special representative said:

“I don’t believe that there will be any practical partnership between the US and Taliban,” West said.

West pointed out that Taliban’s harbouring of Ayman al-Zawahiri (former Al Qaeda chief) was a clear violation of the Doha agreement.