Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan on Friday said its ceasefire with the Afghan Taliban is “not holding,” citing ongoing terrorist attacks originating from Afghan territory.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, speaking at his weekly briefing, clarified that the truce, reached on October 17, was designed primarily to prevent attacks within Pakistan rather than function as a conventional ceasefire.
“Despite the agreement, major terrorist attacks have continued. In that sense, the ceasefire is not holding,” Andrabi said, referring to threats posed by groups including the TTP, Fitna al-Khawarij, and Afghan-based militants operating from Afghan soil. He added that Islamabad was “not very optimistic” about the agreement following recent incidents in various parts of the country, including the federal capital.
The ceasefire followed a week of border clashes, during which Pakistani forces killed more than 200 Taliban fighters and affiliated militants after unprovoked firing along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border on October 12. Pakistan also carried out targeted operations inside Afghanistan, including strikes near Kabul against terrorist hideouts.
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Addressing questions on security concerns from Afghanistan, Andrabi said Pakistani forces remain “fully alert” and that the military is prepared to respond to any threats.
He also dismissed claims by the Afghan Taliban that Daesh has a presence in Pakistan, calling them “outrageous” and “a figment of Kabul’s imagination.” Highlighting the broader regional security implications, he said Pakistan continues to coordinate with bilateral and multilateral partners on cross-border terrorism issues.
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Responding to Taliban statements blaming “certain elements” for attacks in Tajikistan, Andrabi stressed, “This is exactly our point, these elements operate freely from Afghan soil and must be controlled.”
He further condemned the recent attack on Chinese workers in Tajikistan as a “heinous terrorist act,” expressing grief over the loss of lives. The Tajik foreign ministry reported that at least three Chinese employees were killed in a combined drone and gun assault near the Afghan border.
