Pakistan’s Prime Minister has once again claimed that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is active in Afghanistan and has urged the Islamic Emirate to adopt a clear policy on the matter.
Shehbaz Sharif said that while Pakistan seeks improved relations with Afghanistan, it finds the alleged activities of TTP in Afghanistan unacceptable.
The prime minister of Pakistan said: “This is a red line for us. We will not accept the activities of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan from Afghan soil, and we will defend Pakistan’s territorial integrity at any cost. The Afghan government must adopt a clear stance against the TTP.”
Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Pakistan’s Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said: “Afghanistan and Pakistan are two brotherly neighboring countries. We fully respect their independence, and we ask them not to prioritize terrorists over Pakistan. For us, the life of one Pakistani is more important than Afghanistan.”
The Islamic Emirate has not yet responded to the claims made by Pakistan’s Prime Minister. However, it has repeatedly denied the presence of TTP on Afghan soil in the past.
“Senior leaders of the Islamic Emirate should compel Pakistan’s leadership to prevent such incidents and not allow these issues to escalate,” said Sadiq Shinwari, a military analyst.
At the same time, UNICEF has announced that at least 20 children have lost their lives following Pakistan’s attacks on the Barmal district of Paktika province. The organization emphasized that children must not be targeted under any circumstances.
Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, said: “Our sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones. Children are not and must never be a target.”
“It is a matter of regret for our people that such incidents occur on our land. We condemn this and demand that it not be repeated,” said Amir Khan, a resident of Barmal district in Paktika.
“We have been oppressed, and the world must hear our voice,” said Salim Jan, another resident of Barmal district in Paktika.
Meanwhile, the governor of Paktika also condemned Pakistan’s attacks, calling them a violation of international principles.
Abdul Khaliq Abed, the governor of Paktika, said: “The actions they carried out were against humanity, Afghan values, and international principles.”
This comes as more than 50 people have been killed and dozens injured, including women and children, in Pakistan’s airstrikes on the Barmal district of Paktika province.