Pakistan will continue its existing policy towards Afghanistan unless the Afghan Taliban leadership abandons what has been described as a “guerrilla mindset,” Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said.
Speaking on a private television programme on Wednesday night, the minister stated that the Taliban’s attitude towards Pakistan differs from how it engages with the rest of the world. He blamed the worsening security environment on what he termed an “irresponsible state” across the border.
His remarks come days after Pakistan carried out intelligence-based strikes in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar Province and Paktika Province, targeting alleged hideouts of banned militant groups operating along the border.
The cross-border action followed a wave of deadly suicide attacks in Islamabad, Bajaur, and Bannu, which Pakistani officials linked to militants using Afghan soil for operations. According to security sources, multiple camps associated with the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Daesh-Khorasan were targeted.
Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to prevent its territory from being used for attacks against Pakistan. However, tensions have escalated in recent days.
Chaudhry said Pakistan had initially sought to resolve matters through dialogue but would now pursue “practical steps” to push the Taliban towards behaving like a responsible state actor.
He criticised the Taliban leadership, particularly supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, for remaining silent on attacks inside Pakistan while issuing religious decrees on other matters.
“The preferred path is dialogue,” the minister noted, “but if the current pattern continues, the existing policy will remain in place.”
He added that Pakistan is determined to eliminate security threats and warned that a tougher approach could follow if necessary.
Following the reported airstrikes, Afghan forces allegedly opened fire in the Torkham and Tirah sectors along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Pakistani security officials said the response was immediate and effective, adding that any further provocation would be met with a strong reaction.
