The Taliban have reportedly told Pakistan in private messages that their leader, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, has warned the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) against carrying out attacks inside Pakistani territory.
According to a report by The Express Tribune on Monday, June 1, citing Pakistani security sources, the Taliban have been trying to convince Islamabad of their sincerity in addressing Pakistan’s security concerns.
The report said, “Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has warned the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to halt attacks inside Pakistan or risk losing the Taliban’s allegiance.”
However, a Pakistani security source told The Express Tribune that Pakistan considers the move insufficient and believes it lacks the practical substance needed to bring real change to the situation.
The report added that officials familiar with the matter said the prevailing assessment within the relevant authorities is that the latest Taliban assurances appear aimed more at easing international and regional pressure than at addressing the root causes of the problem.
It also quoted a senior Pakistani official, who requested anonymity, as saying that Pakistan’s assessment suggests there has been no tangible shift in the Taliban regime’s approach toward terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan.
The Taliban have repeatedly claimed that they have taken various steps to address Islamabad’s concerns.
However, tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban have persisted for months and have at times escalated into cross-border clashes.
