ISLAMABAD_ According to credible Pakistani sources, the Afghan Taliban have launched a coordinated disinformation campaign through their official and sympathetic media outlets to distort the narrative surrounding the Pakistan-Afghanistan dialogue. Afghan channels, including Ariana News, have circulated claims that Pakistan has demanded the relocation of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from Pakistani territory into Afghanistan. Officials in Islamabad have categorically rejected this narrative, describing it as false and misleading.

Pakistan’s Consistent Position

Pakistan’s stance has remained consistent from the very beginning of the dialogue process. Islamabad’s position is simple: the Taliban must provide a clear, written commitment that Afghan soil will not be used for terrorism against Pakistan. From the first round of talks held in Doha on October 19, 2025, to the most recent meetings in Istanbul, Pakistan has repeated this same demand.

Cross-Border Terrorism and TTP Presence

Reports from Istanbul indicate that the issue of cross-border terrorism remained the primary point of contention between the two sides. Intelligence reports reveal that TTP camps are already operating inside Afghanistan, with at least 58 active training centers along the border, and the group’s top leadership residing in Kabul and Ghazni. These militants frequently infiltrate Pakistan to carry out attacks and then return with their injured or deceased members to Afghan territory. Islamabad emphasizes that this reality invalidates the Afghan narrative, as there is no question of relocating a group that is already based in Afghanistan.

Islamabad’s Security Concerns

Officials insist that Pakistan’s demand is neither political nor unreasonable. It is a matter of national security and civilian protection. They argue that signing a written commitment not to allow Afghan soil to be used for terrorism should not be an impossible request for any responsible government. Pakistan has repeatedly expressed concern about cross-border terrorism, particularly attacks orchestrated by the TTP and Baloch Liberation Army, which pose a direct threat to the country’s internal stability. Islamabad has made it clear that if the Taliban fail to stop cross-border attacks and dismantle TTP sanctuaries, it reserves the right to take necessary defensive measures to protect its people and territory.

Pakistan Appreciates Mediation Efforts

Pakistan is thankful to the brotherly countries of Turkiye and Qatar for mediating the dialogue process, while emphasizing that the onus lies on Afghanistan to fulfill its long-standing international, regional, and bilateral pledges regarding control of terrorism, commitments that have so far not been met. Pakistan does not harbor any ill-will against the Afghan people but will never support any measures by the Afghan Taliban regime that are detrimental to the interests of the Afghan population, as well as neighboring countries. Islamabad has also stressed that it will continue to exercise all necessary options to safeguard the security of its people and protect its sovereignty.

Negotiation Deadlock and Diplomatic Implications

Sources familiar with the negotiation process note that Pakistan previously requested the Taliban to relocate TTP elements deeper into Afghan provinces such as Ghazni to prevent their infiltration into Pakistani territory. However, the Afghan government’s response was dismissive, which led Pakistan to question the effectiveness of repeating the same request. This deadlock has added further strain to the dialogue process.

Preconditions for Peace and Regional Stability

The Istanbul dialogue demonstrated that any meaningful progress in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations depends on a single, crucial condition: the Taliban must ensure that Afghan territory is not used for terrorism against other states. Without this fundamental assurance, confidence-building and regional stability will remain out of reach. Analysts emphasize that continued international engagement and monitoring will be necessary to ensure accountability and transparency in future talks, and that propaganda and evasion tactics cannot replace genuine commitments to peace.

Islamabad’s Clear Message

Pakistan’s position has been consistent, firm, and clear. The Afghan Taliban’s disinformation efforts are viewed as a calculated attempt to shift blame, manipulate international opinion, and distract from the presence of militant safe havens on Afghan soil. Islamabad’s message remains unchanged. Afghanistan must provide a written guarantee that its land will not harbor terrorists or be used to launch attacks against Pakistan. Pakistan will continue to exercise all necessary options to safeguard the security of its people and protect its sovereignty.

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