US Backs Pakistan Against Afghanistan-Linked Terrorism

While acknowledging Islamabad's concern that attacks on the country are being rolled out from Afghan soil and that the Taliban have not done enough to stop them, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has remarked Washington does not want Pakistan to be targeted by terrorism.

Key points

• Simple Reason Why India Attracts More Foreign Investment Than Pakistan.
• Earlier this year, Pakistan paused Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against Afghanistan, but cross-border strikes have continued since.
• Qatar and Turkiye brokered a ceasefire in Doha last October, but follow-up discussions in Istanbul collapsed the after month.
• According to Pakistan has, it is not shying away from dialogue, but that negotiations "will not be unconditional." Stay Connected with ProPakistani.
• A number of countries have already tried to calm tensions between Islamabad and Kabul.

Rubio created the remarks on October 31 at a press availability at the end of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Gathering in Atlanta, Georgia, in reply to a question regarding the conflict between Pakistan and the Taliban administration in Afghanistan. Simple Reason Why India Attracts More Foreign Investment Than Pakistan. What Rubio Remarked Concerning Pakistan and the Taliban.

In practice, a reporter asked Rubio how the US viewed the tensions in the region, noting that Russia had stepped in to mediate between the two neighbours. Rubio replied.

"Pakistan is concerned regarding terrorist attacks that are being from the territory of Afghanistan. They feel as if the Taliban has not done enough to constrain those attacks, and they've taken action against it. We obviously have heard those reservations on their part. We obviously don't want them to be targeted for terrorism."

He continued, "So if there's a productive role for us to play, we would play it. As you can imagine.", we don't necessarily have the closest relationship with the Taliban.

Rubio concluded his answer by saying the US had "seen some of those attacks that they point to" and that "we're against terrorism no matter where it emanates from and who it targets." Why This Matters for Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the comments are significant since they come from the top US diplomat, on a global stage, and they line up closely with the case Pakistan has been making for over a year: that groups like the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are using Afghan territory to carry out attacks inside the country.

Meanwhile, Rubio halted short of announcing any new US step. He offered support only if Washington could be useful, and openly admitted that the US has limited ties with the Taliban administration. In simple terms, this is political backing for Pakistan's position, not a commitment to act.

For context, the remarks additionally come less than a week after Rubio stated the US wants more influence over Pakistan, a sign that Islamabad has moved higher up on Washington's agenda. Where Pakistan-Afghanistan Discussions Stand.

For context, a number of countries have already tried to calm tensions between Islamabad and Kabul.

Qatar and Turkiye brokered a ceasefire in Doha last October, but follow-up discussions in Istanbul collapsed the after month. Saudi Arabia additionally hosted discussions, and China held negotiations between the two sides in Urumqi in April this year. None of these efforts settled the core dispute over terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan. US Wants More Influence Over Pakistan: Rubio.

Earlier this year, Pakistan paused Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against Afghanistan, but cross-border strikes have continued since. After an attack in Kohat on September 18, Pakistan struck Afghan territory on September 24 and again on October 1.

Russia, the only country to formally recognise the Taliban administration, has offered to assist mediate if both sides ask. Nevertheless, the Moscow Format gathering on Afghanistan on October 5 concluded without a joint statement as the Pakistani and Afghan delegations could not agree on wording regarding terrorist networks.

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Taken together, the developments around US Backs Pakistan Against Afghanistan point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.