RELATIONS between Pakistan and Afghanistan have hit another low as frustration mounts in Islamabad with the Taliban’s lack of response to its security concerns. This despite stepped up diplomatic engagement by Pakistan this year to reset ties with Kabul after heightened tensions and a prolonged hiatus in high-level diplomatic exchanges in the previous year.

Two days ago, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly called on Kabul to choose between Pakistan and the TTP (Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan). He said cross-border attacks from Afghanistan were unacceptable. This was the latest manifestation of renewed tensions.

Earlier, officials of the two countries had exchanged hot words. In late August, the Afghan foreign ministry accused Pakistan of launching air strikes on two of its eastern provinces, Nangarhar and Khost, calling this a “provocative act” that claimed the lives of several civilians. Afghan Defence Minister Mohammed Yaqoob said Pakistan was shifting blame for militant attacks on its soil to Afghanistan to hide weaknesses of its own security apparatus. Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesman dismissed Yaqoob’s assertions, describing them as an effort to mask the seriousness of the situation.

Attacks in Pakistan by the TTP rose sharply after the Taliban returned to power four years ago. The Taliban takeover enabled the outlawed militant group to reorganise and escalate cross-border attacks, posing a serious threat to Pakistan’s security. Countless rounds of talks on the TTP between Pakistani officials........

© Dawn