AS Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed concern recently that three terrorist groups are still using Afghan soil against Pakistan, Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar has said that Pakistan is confident that the Taliban will fulfil their commitment of not allowing any terrorist organization to use Afghan soil against any country including Pakistan.
In an interview, he said that Pakistan is in constant contact with Afghan Taliban officials to protect the country’s national security.
There is no doubt that the Taliban have publicly stated they would not allow use of their soil for any activity against any other country but it is a foregone conclusion that things would not change overnight.
The Taliban have secured control of entire Afghanistan and they are, in fact, in a position to deliver on their commitment but there are clear indications of some international players acting as spoilers.
Initially, attempts were made to organize resistance against the Taliban Government by encouraging anti-Taliban forces in Panjshir but they failed in their designs and now the new Government is being destabilized through bomb blasts.
There are reasons to believe that in view of highly conflicting interests, some foreign intelligence agencies would continue their dirty game in the region, creating problems both for the Taliban Government and Pakistan.
The DG, ISPR has stated that the country was in constant touch with the Taliban Government and one hopes a firm strategy would be put in place to hunt down all those who can become a tool in the hands of these agencies.
One way to foil designs of these powers is to encourage the Taliban to fulfil their pledges in respect of formation of an inclusive Government as only then they would be able to counter conspiracies and put the country on the path of security, peace and development.
As some Afghan refugees are also involved in criminal activities, it is time an understanding is reached with the new Government in Kabul to repatriate them once for all.
