RASC News Agency: Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, a former advisor to Pakistan’s prime minister, has delivered a scathing critique of Islamabad’s ongoing engagement with the Taliban, asserting unequivocally that “the Taliban are neither Muslim nor our brothers.” Highlighting their regressive policies, particularly the prohibition of girls’ education, he accused the group of distorting the image of Islam. Khokhar’s remarks follow last month’s visit by Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Sadiq Khan, to Kabul, where discussions were initiated on issues such as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) sanctuaries, as well as transit and economic matters. Reports indicate that formal negotiations between the two sides are expected to commence later this month.
Speaking on Dawn News, Khokhar directly addressed the Taliban: “If you believe you can indiscriminately kill our citizens, stain your hands with the blood of innocents, and still expect us to engage in negotiations with you, such talks are destined to fail.” The Pakistani politician further emphasized that, in his view, the Taliban neither embody Islamic principles nor qualify as Pakistan’s brethren. “How can they be considered our brothers when they provide sanctuary to TTP, a group responsible for terrorist attacks inside Pakistan?” he questioned. He contended that the Taliban’s self-proclaimed Islamic legitimacy is fundamentally flawed, given their systematic denial of basic rights, such as girls’ access to education.
Khokhar advocated for Pakistan to engage with the Taliban as it would with any foreign entity, asserting that national interests must take precedence over ideological considerations. Tensions between Islamabad and the Taliban have escalated following a surge in militant attacks in Pakistan, including the recent assault and hostage crisis aboard the Jaffer Express train in Balochistan. The Pakistani military has accused Afghanistan-based militants of orchestrating these attacks, with some officials branding the Taliban as a “proxy force of India.” In response, Pakistan’s defense minister has warned that military operations against anti-Pakistan insurgents within Afghanistan territory will persist.
In retaliation, the Taliban have accused Pakistan of harboring and supporting ISIS, alleging that the extremist group operates from bases within Pakistan’s Balochistan province. Despite these escalating accusations, both nations continue diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions through dialogue. Khokhar’s remarks underscore a growing wave of disillusionment within Pakistan regarding the Taliban an entity that Islamabad once viewed as a potential strategic partner in advancing its regional security objectives in Afghanistan.
