ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has informed China about the use of Afghan soil by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliates, official sources told The Express Tribune.
When China’s envoy for Afghanistan Yu Xiaoyong visited Islamabad on Monday, officials shared with him recent evidence of how Afghanistan is endangering regional peace.
It may be recalled that a few days before the Chinese top diplomat’s arrival in Islamabad, Russia’s special envoy for Afghan affairs, Zamir Kabulov, also visited Islamabad and discussed the latest situation in the neighboring country with Pakistani officials.
A statement issued by the Foreign Office said that the Chinese special representative met Foreign Secretary Amina Baloch.
He also held detailed consultations with Additional Foreign Secretary (Afghanistan and West Asia) Ambassador Ahmed Nasim Warraich. The two sides reaffirmed the important role of neighboring countries for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.
Sources said that Pakistani officials briefed the Chinese diplomat on how Afghan soil is being used by the TTP and other terrorist groups.
Sources said that the officials shared concrete evidence with the Chinese diplomat about the sanctuaries of terrorists across the border and told them that these sanctuaries are a threat to Pakistan’s security.
The Chinese ambassador was told that the Afghan Taliban, despite repeated demands from Pakistan and the international community, are not taking sufficient steps to stop the activities of these groups.
Pakistani officials said that this is the time to adopt a unified stance against the Afghan Taliban to convince them to fulfill the promises they made to the international community.
It should be remembered that Pakistan believes that China still has influence over the Taliban and can put pressure on Kabul to address Islamabad’s concerns.
The Afghan Taliban’s refusal to take action against the TTP has damaged bilateral relations to such an extent that the two countries now maintain only limited contact.