Islamabad — Pakistan on Friday firmly rejected accusations from the Afghan Taliban regime alleging the presence of ISIS in Pakistan, calling the claims “outrageous” and “a figment of imagination.” The Foreign Office said the Taliban were attempting to externalise a threat that is “primarily rooted in Afghan soil,” where, according to United Nations findings, ISKP maintains operational capability in eastern and northern provinces including Nangarhar, Kunar, and Badakhshan.
The Afghan Taliban have repeatedly used their propaganda outlets, including Al Mirsad and Hindukush, to accuse Pakistan of harbouring extremist networks, a narrative that has intensified following the failure of recent mediation talks in Turkey. During those talks, Pakistan reportedly sought a written agreement on counter-terrorism cooperation, while Afghan Deputy Interior Minister Rahmatullah Najib admitted the process collapsed after Kabul insisted Pakistan should refrain from calling Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters “terrorists.” Najib openly stated that the Taliban would only consider relocating TTP members if Pakistan agreed to describe them as “good people.”
The United Nations Security Council’s ISIL and Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee last week highlighted the “serious threat” posed by the TTP across Central and South Asia. Denmark, chairing the committee, noted that TTP continues to receive “logistical and substantial support” from Afghanistan’s de facto authorities. Pakistan maintains that any extremist element found on its territory is dealt with strictly under national law. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi reiterated that claims about Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) operating in Pakistan are “baseless” and an attempt by Kabul to obscure its own internal militant landscape.
Growing Regional Concern
At the weekly briefing, Pakistan noted that cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan has become a regional concern, particularly for countries like Tajikistan. Despite its limited economic capacity, Tajikistan has consistently warned of militant activity along its 1,350-kilometre border with Afghanistan. President Emomali Rakhmon has criticised the Taliban for their treatment of Afghanistan’s ethnic Tajiks while simultaneously maintaining limited cooperation in border trade and electricity supply.
Tajikistan’s foreign ministry stated this week that “criminal groups located in the neighbouring country continue to commit acts aimed at destabilising the situation in the border regions.” Pakistan highlighted similar concerns and pointed to existing security coordination mechanisms with China and Tajikistan, as well as multilateral engagement through the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS).
US Response and Global Dimensions of Afghan-Origin Militancy
Responding to questions about the Washington DC shooting involving an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Laknawal, Andrabi said the United States would undertake its own investigations and that Pakistan is following developments closely. He noted that the case underscored how Afghan-origin militancy has evolved into a global problem.
“Pakistan continues to engage the US through the UN Security Council and other relevant forums on counter-terrorism issues,” he said, emphasising that militancy emanating from Afghanistan has become transnational in scope.
Pakistan Clarifies Misinterpretation of “Ceasefire” With Afghanistan
The spokesperson also addressed public confusion surrounding what has been described as a “ceasefire” with Afghanistan. The Foreign Office clarified that the arrangement was never a traditional ceasefire between two states. Rather, it was an understanding that Afghan-sponsored proxies, including the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Fitna al-Khawarij (FAK), and Afghan nationals operating from Afghan territory, would cease attacks inside Pakistan.
Andrabi said this understanding has not held.
“There have been major terrorist attacks after this so-called ceasefire. Interpreting it in traditional terms is incorrect. The agreement strictly concerned the cessation of Afghan-sponsored terrorism inside Pakistan. If Afghan nationals continue attacking, as seen in Islamabad and elsewhere, we cannot be optimistic.”
Despite this, officials stressed that Pakistan’s security forces remain fully alert and militarily prepared. Responding to questions about alleged airstrikes, Andrabi reiterated ISPR’s position that Pakistan conducts all counter-terrorism operations with full public accountability.
Dialogue and Future Security Outlook
The Foreign Office reaffirmed Pakistan’s willingness to maintain dialogue with Kabul across working, political, and senior official levels. Between 2021 and mid-2025, several engagements took place, including high-level visits by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. However, Islamabad insists that dialogue must be meaningful, credible, and grounded in an honest recognition of the security challenges, not a “dialogue of the deaf.”
Pakistan continues to stress that coordinated regional and international action is necessary as terrorism increasingly crosses borders. “The menace is growing and reaching across national borders,” the spokesperson said. “Pakistan is actively following up through all available platforms, including coordination with the US, to ensure regional security and counter the threat of extremism emanating from Afghanistan.”
![Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi inspects Islamabad airport, urging genuine passengers not to be offloaded or delayed. [Courtesy: APP]](https://htnworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/images.jpg)
![Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty speaks during a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (not pictured) in Ankara, Türkiye on February 4, 2025. [Courtesy: Reuters].](https://htnworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/291100288a8174f.webp)