Pakistan Alleges Foreign-Backed Factions Within Taliban Fueling Tensions

Pakistan’s Foreign Office has accused two factions within the Afghan Taliban, along with a foreign-backed lobby, of deliberately stoking tensions between the two countries. Ambassador Tahir Hussain Andrabi, the Foreign Office spokesperson, stated that while some elements within the Taliban prefer peaceful engagement with Pakistan, a strong faction, with external support, continues to provoke conflict.

In a detailed statement regarding Pakistan–Afghan Taliban talks held in Istanbul, Andrabi pointed out that since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, Pakistan has witnessed a significant surge in terrorist attacks originating from Afghan soil. Despite this, Pakistan has shown restraint, refraining from retaliating and hoping the Taliban would take action against groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other terrorist factions operating from Afghanistan.

“Pakistan had expected that over time, the Taliban regime would control these attacks and take concrete action against TTP/FaK elements operating from Afghanistan,” Andrabi said, adding that despite Pakistan’s goodwill—such as trade concessions and humanitarian aid—the Afghan authorities have only offered “hollow promises and inaction.”

Andrabi also criticized the Taliban for deflecting attention from terrorism by making “irrelevant and hypothetical claims” and failing to fulfill their international commitments. The Taliban, according to the spokesperson, has tried to distract from the issue of terrorism and avoid taking responsibility for the violence emanating from Afghan soil.

The spokesperson highlighted Pakistan’s October 2025 response to cross-border attacks, which he said was a reflection of Islamabad’s resolve to protect its people. “TTP/FaK and BLA/FaH are declared enemies of Pakistan. Anyone harboring, abetting, or financing them cannot be considered a friend of Pakistan,” he added.

Regarding peace talks, Pakistan has agreed to engage with the Taliban under mediation by Türkiye and Qatar, although the talks have faced setbacks. The Taliban, Andrabi claimed, had backed out of key commitments during discussions, particularly over the establishment of a monitoring mechanism to verify action against terrorist groups.

He further revealed that the Taliban have been harboring terrorists who fled during Pakistan’s 2015 Operation Zarb-e-Azb. These individuals, he said, are now being sheltered and equipped by the Taliban as a form of payback for their previous allegiance during the fight against the ISAF and Afghan Government forces.

Pakistan has demanded that the Taliban hand over these terrorists but has faced repeated refusals, with the Taliban citing a lack of control over the situation. Andrabi emphasized that this issue is not just about capability, but the Taliban’s intent.

The spokesperson also criticized the Taliban’s portrayal of these terrorists as refugees, labeling it a “deliberate attempt to shield them.” He reiterated Pakistan’s stance that dialogue would only take place with a legitimate Afghan government, not with terrorist groups like the TTP or BLA.

In closing, Andrabi addressed claims of internal divisions within Pakistan over its policy toward Afghanistan, dismissing them as propaganda. He reaffirmed that the entire Pakistani nation stands united against terrorism and criticized the Taliban’s efforts to incite Pashtun nationalism in Pakistan. He emphasized that Pakistan is committed to dialogue but remains firm in addressing terrorism emanating from Afghanistan.

Pakistan, Andrabi concluded, will continue to take action against terrorism and those who support it, including any foreign elements contributing to the destabilization of the region.