Pakistan presses Kabul to cut ties with TTP

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has asked the Afghan Taliban government to distance itself from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and fulfill its commitments to clear the terrorist group from its soil, otherwise, it would be construed as “hostile” activity.

Islamabad conveyed its message through Afghan interim ambassador in Pakistan who was summoned at the Foreign Office the other day. The envoy was told in clear terms that Afghanistan’s Taliban regime must ensure its soil is not used for terrorist activities.

The ambassador was summoned in the wake of recent surge in terrorist activities of Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists, sheltering on Afghan soil and are funded and sponsored by Indian’s RAW.

Highly placed diplomatic sources told The News here Tuesday evening that Afghan interim ambassador Sardar Ahmed Shakib was summoned at the Foreign Office.

Additional Foreign Secretary Syed Ali Assad Gilani conveyed Pakistan’s concern to the Taliban envoy.

Meanwhile, Special Assistant to Prime Minister, with status of Minister of State, Muhammad Sadiq Khan has returned from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where he had gone on Afghanistan-related unannounced mission. He will be submitting detailed report to the leadership about his undertaking.

He is likely to lead a delegation of senior officials to Kabul later this week to take up the latest developments in bilateral issues with the Taliban government.

Sadiq Khan will convey a stern message from Pakistan’s leadership to his interlocutors in Afghan capital. He will also have a meeting with interim Afghan Foreign Minister Mulla Amir Muttaqi.

Meanwhile, sources told this scribe that eighteen terrorists were killed near Chah Bahar area of Iran, who had close association with terrorist group BLA. Sixteen terrorists were reportedly Afghan nationals.

Foreign Office spokesman Additional Foreign Secretary Shafqat Ali Khan was not available for comment on Afghanistan-related developments, as his phone went unanswered till late evening.