Failed Negotiations: Afghan Taliban Urges Pakistan to Engage in Peace Talks with TTP"

The Afghan Taliban has requested that the Pakistan government engage in another round of negotiations with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a banned terrorist group. The Taliban leader in Kabul emphasized the importance of pursuing peace over war during meetings with Pakistan's special envoy.

However, Pakistan's efforts to persuade the Afghan Taliban-led interim government to take action against the TTP have not been successful thus far. Pakistan's special envoy, Ambassador Asad Durrani, held meetings with Afghanistan's Acting Prime Minister Maulvi Abdul Kabir, Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, and other officials in an attempt to address the issue.

Despite Pakistan's insistence on action against the TTP, the Afghan Taliban government is not interested in pursuing that path. Instead, they have once again urged Pakistan to initiate peace talks with the TTP. Pakistan, in response to increased TTP attacks and the group taking advantage of earlier negotiation attempts, has abandoned the peace process.

The civil and military leadership has made it clear that talks can only resume if the TTP surrenders. Pakistan has accused the Taliban government in Kabul of allowing the presence of TTP militants in Afghanistan, leading to a significant increase in TTP attacks since the Afghan Taliban came to power in 2021.

During discussions, the Afghan acting prime minister expressed his belief that Pakistan should prioritize peace over war, citing Afghanistan's own bitter experiences with conflict. He sees peace in Pakistan as being in Afghanistan's best interest and emphasized that Afghanistan does not want violence and unrest in its neighboring country.

Additionally, he assured the Pakistani envoy that the Afghan Taliban government has a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and would not allow its soil to be used against any nation, including Pakistan.

Pakistan is unlikely to accept the Afghan Taliban's offer for peace talks with the TTP, according to informed sources. Ambassador Durrani will brief the Pakistani government upon his return from Kabul, and Pakistan will devise its strategy based on his assessment.

Despite the challenges in achieving a resolution to the TTP issue, Pakistan remains committed to addressing the threat of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil, as it is a matter of serious concern for the country.