ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, launched a scathing critique of the country’s past leadership on Thursday, accusing them of enabling the return of thousands of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants through reckless and informal decision-making.
During a press briefing, Mr. Dar alleged that the re-entry of an estimated 35,000 to 40,000 TTP fighters resulted from hasty policies, including decisions made “over a cup of tea.” He pointed to a visit by former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Faiz Hameed to Afghanistan in 2021, following the fall of Kabul, as a pivotal moment that facilitated the insurgents’ return.
“Who opened the borders and freed TTP members over a cup of tea?” Mr. Dar questioned, underscoring the dire consequences of these actions.
The TTP, a militant group notorious for its violent attacks in Pakistan, has ramped up its operations since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Pakistani officials have expressed escalating concerns over the security repercussions, accusing the Taliban of harboring and supporting TTP fighters.
In recent weeks, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif claimed that the Afghan Taliban demanded 10 billion Pakistani rupees to relocate TTP militants from areas near the Durand Line to western Afghanistan. The Taliban has refuted these allegations, adding to tensions between the two neighbors.
The situation highlights the complexities of Pakistan’s relationship with the Afghan Taliban, who have faced criticism for failing to curb cross-border terrorism despite pledges to do so.
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s past comments praising the Taliban as “breaking the chains of slavery” have resurfaced, sparking backlash. Khan made the remarks shortly after the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in 2021, which triggered widespread panic and a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. His words drew the ire of many, particularly those trapped under Taliban rule.
As Pakistan grapples with the resurgence of TTP violence, the government’s response and policies toward its volatile neighbor will remain under intense scrutiny.
