Pakistan Asks Afghanistan to Choose it or the TTP Militant Group

ISLAMABAD: The US forced Pakistan to settle its political matters with Afghanistan, after it gave the choice to Afghanistan to stand with Pakistan or Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Afghanistan to choose TTP or Pakistan:

The US special representative to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, told the Afghan authorities to assist Pakistan in negotiations to settle political matters. Khalilzad was appointed as the US special representative in the previous Trump regime.

He recently visited Kabul along with the US hostage envoy, Adam Boehler. In his visit, he met with the significant figures of the Afghan Taliban regime. When he came back from his visit to Kabul, he wrote on his X platform, describing the situation between TTP and Pakistan.

He said that the TTP and Pakistan security personnel’s fight led to the death of many security officials and citizens. He also said that to choose a weapon over negotiation in this matter can be risky.

Moreover, he emphasised and stressed that Pakistan should change its political strategies and go for a negotiation to resolve the matter. He said, “The Pakistani establishment always advised the US and Afghan government before 2021 to negotiate and seek a political settlement with the Afghan Taliban. The time has come for Pakistan to consider doing the same.”

His tweet came into light as it came at that point when Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir gave Afghanistan a choice to choose its stand either with Pakistan or TTP. Shehbaz Sharif said, “I want to give a clear message to Afghanistan to choose between Pakistan and TTP.”

Khalilzad’s stance reflects Imran’s saying: 

Trump and US military officials always praised Pakistan for adopting strategies to lessen terrorist attacks. Khalilzad’s message reflects the US intention and desire to see Pakistan and Afghanistan at the same table. It wants both countries to join hands in hand to eradicate the tension between them.

Khalilzad also talked about Pakistan’s political matters in the past. He criticized Pakistan’s judiciary and the government for not taking diplomatic measures as he showed his support for the incarcerated Imran Khan. 

Khalilzad’s remarks reflect Imran’s stance on resolving the tension between TTP and Pakistan. Imran Khan once said that negotiation can become fruitful in reducing the tension between the TTP and Pakistan.

Khalilzad said, “This approach can ne­­v­er establish peace. Lasting peace only comes thr­ough dialogue.” He also said that whatever is happening in KP is merely an attempt to dishonour the PTI government and declared them responsible for the chaos and destruction in the province. He added that military operations can only fuel the terror attacks in the province.