RASC News Agency: In an interview with Radio Mashaal, Asif Durrani, a former Pakistani representative for peace in Afghanistan, stressed that the Taliban must take decisive action against the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and transfer its members to Islamabad. He stated, “The TTP operates from within Afghanistan, planning its attacks against Pakistan from there.” Durrani noted that some Afghanistani nationals are also among the TTP ranks, with their bodies discovered on the battlefield.
In response to the Taliban’s request for evidence regarding the TTP’s presence in Afghanistan, he remarked, “They did not ask me for proof; rather, they said, ‘Pay us, and we will relocate TTP members elsewhere.'” Regarding border clashes between the Taliban and Pakistani border guards, he highlighted that the primary issue lies in distinguishing between the Afghanistani Taliban and TTP members. Durrani explained that some Taliban fighters are present in border areas without uniforms, complicating their identification as distinct from the TTP. He mentioned that, following this challenge, the Taliban were urged to have their forces wear uniforms to facilitate differentiation from the TTP, but they did not comply.
The former Pakistani envoy for Afghanistan also stated that TTP militants collect “ushr” (a form of tax) in Khost province, with their leaders residing in Kabul. He indicated that the TTP poses a serious challenge to Pakistan-Taliban relations, as its members live freely in Afghanistan, often moving about armed. He asserted, “TTP members even collect ushr in Khost province and other areas on Fridays.” Durrani also pointed to a 70% increase in terrorist attacks in Pakistan following the Taliban’s return to power, expressing his skepticism about the implications of their resurgence from the outset.
This comes at a time when many Pakistani officials in Islamabad celebrated the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan.
