✍️ 🇵🇰⚡️🇦🇫 Current Standing: Military Tensions on the Western Border

Since the talks in Istanbul and Doha, very little has improved. Cross-border militancy from Afghanistan has continued to escalate, as reflected in the recent terrorist attacks reported by @ThePakistanNews.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar stated “Istanbul and Doha offered to mediate when they learned that Pakistan was planning a cleanup operation in Afghanistan. They were likely aware of our planned kinetic action, and their government remained in hourly contact with me to support mediation.”

From my perspective, Turkey and Qatar genuinely tried to prevent further bloodshed among Muslims. Unfortunately, only one side showed understanding and willingness to cooperate and that was Pakistan.

All Pakistan requested from the Taliban was: “Put it in writing that you will take action against the TTP on your soil.” The Taliban refused.

You may wonder whether they took any action. Technically, yes but not in the way many would expect.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, while briefing the media, stated that during his visit to Kabul, the Afghan Foreign Minister informed him that the Taliban had detained around a hundred TTP militants along with several facilitators. Dar acknowledged the arrests but stressed that “this is not enough.” Kabul invited Pakistan to send a delegation to verify the detentions, but Islamabad maintains that far more decisive and sustained action is needed against TTP elements operating from Afghan soil.

This is nowhere near sufficient. Pakistan has lost 4,000 soldiers and seen 20,000 wounded since the Taliban regime took control of Afghanistan in 2021. Stronger action is essential. If Afghanistan wants a stable, civil relationship, they must work with Pakistan to create a framework that targets TTP camps and militants inside Afghanistan. But once again, Afghanistan is unwilling.

As things stand, military tensions are high, and significant military equipment is being moved toward the border as I write this.

Unfortunately, it appears Afghanistan is not willing to cooperate, and Pakistan may have no choice but to proceed with its cleanup operation inside Afghanistan.

May Allah bless the armed forces of Pakistan and grant them victory if that moment comes. 🇵🇰

@ThePulsePoint