ISLAMABAD: Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director-General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (DG-ISPR), has issued a strong warning to the Afghan Taliban, urging them to decide whether they want to protect their government or face potential downfall by supporting terrorist organizations like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
In a televised interview, Lt. Gen. Chaudhry clarified that Pakistan’s conflict was not imposed upon Afghanistan, but rather it was forced upon Pakistan itself. He pointed out that many terrorist attacks within Pakistan are launched from Afghan territory and urged the Taliban to take responsibility for preventing their land from being exploited for terrorism.
“The choice lies with the Taliban: prioritize extremist elements or focus on Pakistan’s security,” said DG ISPR. He also referenced Islamic teachings, emphasizing that suicide bombings are forbidden in Islam, and questioned where such acts find justification within the religion. He recalled that the Taliban had previously promised, during negotiations in Doha, not to allow Afghanistan to be used as a base for terrorism, but noted that no such commitments have been fulfilled.
Chaudhry underscored that terrorism will not be tolerated in Pakistan, stressing that the repercussions of attacks go beyond individual victims, affecting society at large.
Since the initiation of Operation Ghazab Lil Haq, he stated, cross-border terrorism has seen a significant decline. While Pakistan advocates for dialogue and the extradition of terrorists, he made it clear that terrorism and negotiations cannot go hand in hand.
The DG ISPR further warned that the Afghan Taliban regime remains closely tied to terrorism and drug trafficking, reaffirming Pakistan’s resolve to continue its anti-terror operations without rushing to conclude them.
