Pakistan snubs Taliban’s ‘pretence of dialogue’

Pakistan snubs Taliban's 'pretence of dialogue'.

Key points

• Dawn Report Published September 20, 2026 Updated September 20, 2026 07: 47am.
• Pakistan remarked the Afghan Taliban had obligations under the Doha Agreement to prevent Afghan territory from being employed to threaten other countries.
• During the interview, Mr Mujahid cautioned Pakistan against conducting military operations inside Afghanistan and stated Kabul would defend its sovereignty against any such action.
• Pakistan additionally linked the Afghan Taliban's warning to the deadly terrorist attack on civilians and police office-holders offering Friday prayers in Kohat.
• It remarked Pakistan had repeatedly triggered concern over the apply of Afghan territory by Fitna al-Khawarij and other terrorist groups to plan and launch attacks inside Pakistan.

Dawn Report Published September 20, 2026 Updated September 20, 2026 07: 47am. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday remarked it had consistently pursued dialogue and constructive engagement with the Afghan Taliban, but would not allow what it called the "pretence of dialogue" to shield those threatening its residents.

In practice, the information ministry was responding to Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid's remarks in an interview with Al Arabiya English a day earlier, in which he remarked Afghanistan wanted dialogue with Pakistan and called on stronger mechanisms for intelligence-sharing and cooperation. He additionally welcomed a larger Saudi role in mediating between Kabul and Islamabad, saying Saudi Arabia was a friend of both countries and could play a "positive role" in resolving their differences.

Pakistan additionally rejected Kabul's warning of "retaliatory action" if Islamabad carried out military operations inside Afghanistan, saying the Taliban regime should dismantle terrorist networks operating from its territory instead of "deflecting responsibility".

Responding to Kabul spox seeking discussions, Islamabad states Afghan govt should dismantle terrorists operating from its territory.

He additionally denied Islamabad's assertion that Afghan territory was being employed by militant groups to launch attacks inside Pakistan.

"If Pakistan invokes Article 51 to violate the sanctity of Afghan territory, Afghanistan has the right to defend its country, and we will do so, " he remarked, warning of a "crushing response" to any violation of Afghan sovereignty.

Pakistan reiterated that it had the "will and capability" to eliminate terrorist threats and would take all necessary measures, in accordance with international law, to protect its citizens, territory and sovereignty.

"We strongly condemn the barbaric terrorist attack on civilians and police officials offering Friday prayers in Kohat, " the ministry of information stated, describing the attackers as "the vilest of Khwarij with roots in Afghanistan".

It remarked Pakistan had repeatedly triggered concern over the apply of Afghan territory by Fitna al-Khawarij and other terrorist groups to plan and launch attacks inside Pakistan. The state uses the term Fitna al-Khawari j for the banned Tehreek-I-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

"The presence of terrorist sanctuaries, alongside their recruitment and support infrastructure in Afghanistan, poses a direct threat to Pakistan's security, " it remarked, adding that the worries had repeatedly been conveyed to the Afghan Taliban regime and its interlocutors.

Notably, the ministry remarked the Taliban must dismantle the networks instead of "deflecting responsibility".

Pakistan additionally rejected Mujahid's assertion that Kabul did not allow the TTP to operate from Afghan territory or backing armed groups targeting other countries.

It remarked it had observed the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs' condemnation of the Kohat attack and expression of sympathy for the victims' families, but regretted that the statement did not mention terrorism.

"Condemnation must be matched by concrete action, " the ministry remarked, calling on the Taliban to take "credible, verifiable and sustained measures" to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries and disrupt recruitment and training networks. Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2026.

In short, pakistan snubs Taliban's 'pretence of dialogue' is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.