The foreign office of Pakistan has expressed grave concerns about the presence and activities of the banned terrorist groups like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) on Afghan soil. In a weekly press briefing held on August 1, foreign office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said that such groups are working with the backing of external powers, including the documented Indian backing.
Findings of the SIGAR Report
In a response to a question about the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) report, the spokesperson mentioned that “terrorist organizations like BLA, TTP, and similar other organizations are actually Indian proxies, working to destabilize Pakistan and create security challenges for Pakistan.” He further said that these organizations have a connection in Afghanistan, about which Pakistan is communicating with Afghanistan.
The UN sanctions committee report warned that Afghanistan continues to be a safe haven for transnational terrorist organizations. The Afghan Taliban has refuted the findings of the report as propaganda, but Pakistan has said it has solid evidence to indicate that the groups are backed in Afghanistan.
Findings of the SIGAR Report on Al-Qaeda and ISIS indicate that Afghanistan needs to be more committed to international norms. Concentrating on peaceful engagement and not belonging to non-state actors would also help in improving diplomatic ties with Pakistan.
Security Challenges
According to the spokesperson, the fact that these attacks are constantly occurring, especially those being executed by the Majeed Brigade of the BLA, is a significant security issue for Pakistan. The Foreign Office added that an initiative by Afghanistan to curb the violent elements will be a significant step towards confidence-building and the creation of an atmosphere of mutual trust between the two countries. Inability to check violent elements despite ideological affiliation may raise a suspicion of intentions, Khan concluded, and Afghanistan must take proactive steps against these forces.
US-Made Weapons
There is also the issue of the presence of advanced U.S.-made weapons with militant groups such as the BLA. Pakistan is demanding the existence of joint mechanisms to stop the diversion of such arms, and this would be in line with the interest of Afghanistan to promote regional peace and stability.
Ideological Affinity with TTP
The spokesperson also indicated that the encouragement of militant action against the neighbouring Muslim country would be considered as incompatible with international norms and Islamic values. Although some degree of historical or ideological inclination to TTP leaders, such as Noor Wali Mehsud, may be present, providing a safe zone to other leaders of BLA may prove to be a bigger impediment to bilateral cooperation. He emphasized that a constructive reassessment of ties with organizations such as the BLA, which can conflict with the ideological principles of the Taliban, may be the path to enhanced regional peace.
In concluding his remarks, Khan reaffirmed that a sincere and timely engagement addressing Pakistan’s security concerns is a special opportunity for Afghanistan to restart the bilateral relationship on a more positive footing.
