Today: 3 May 2025
29 June 2021
2 mins read

Pak minister admits country hosting Taliban families

Ahmed, well known for his outspoken attitude, has admitted that families of Taliban fighters reside in the country…reports Hamza Ameer

Pakistan has for long completely rejected assertions of having Taliban footprints on its soil. However, incumbent Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has admitted that Islamabad not only hosts families of the Taliban, but it also is aware of fighters getting medical treatment in the country.

Ahmed, well known for his outspoken attitude, has admitted that families of Taliban fighters reside in the country and many of the group’s members receive medical treatment in local hospitals.

In an interview to a local television network, the Minister said many of those familiesreside in the surrounding areas Pakistan’s capital Islamabad.

“Taliban families live here, in Pakistan, in Rawat, Loi Ber, Bara Kahu and Tarnol areas. Sometimes their (fighters) dead bodies arrive and sometimes they come here in hospital to get medical treatment,” he added.

Ahmed’s admission bcompletely negates Islamabad’s outright rejection of allegations leveled by Kabul and Washington that Taliban terrorists use Pakistani soil to direct and sustain their activities in Afghanistan.

On the other hand, Pakistan has counter-blamed Afghanistan for facilitating militants and other illegal movements from its 2,600 km-long open border into Pakistan.

Pakistan has also maintained that it facilitates about three million Afghan refugees for decades, which at times does serve as a hiding place for the Taliban insurgents.

ALSO READ: FATF Retains Pakistan in Grey List

Recently, the Pakistan Foreign Office had categorically rejected the remarks of the Press Office of the Afghan Minister of Foreign Affairs, regarding activities of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan.

“The assertion of the Afghan side are contrary to facts on ground and various reports of the UN, which also corroborate the presence and activities of over 5000-strong TTP in Afghanistan”” said the Pakistan Foreign Office.

“Over the last many years, TTP has launched several gruesome terrorist attacks inside Pakistan using Afghan soil without any retribution from its hosts. The 12th Report of the UN Monitoring Team issued in June 2021, acknowledges TTP’s distinctive anti-Pakistan objectives and notes its location within Afghanistan near the border with Pakistan.

Taliban

“The TTP following its orchestrated reunification with its splinter groups with the help of Hostile Intelligence Agencies (HIAs), its continued presence in Afghanistan with impunity and its cross-border attacks against Pakistan pose persistent threat to our security and stability,” the Office added.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has stated that Pakistan’s gains against terrorism, could be undermined severely if the security situation worsens in Afghanistan, and lead towards a civil war.

“We are already hosting and looking after almost three million Afghan refugees and we cannot take more because we are not in a position to shoulder the burden,” said Qureshi, insisting that the worsening security situation in Afghanistan could also trigger another exodus of refugees into Pakistan.

However, the statement by the Interior Minister certainly has raised many eyebrows, who are now questioning the Imran Khan-led government and reminding it of its claims of now allowing terrorists to operate from its soil.

ALSO READ: Terror financing: Doubts mount over Pakistani diplomats

Previous Story

India to give free tourist visa to 5 lakh travellers

Next Story

Afghan civilians take up arms against Taliban

Latest from -Top News

WAVES 2025: Jaishankar Advocates Cultural Pluralism

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a powerful address at the WAVES 2025 Global Media Dialogue, highlighting the significance of cultural pluralism in shaping global change. Speaking on the second day of

Abu Dhabi, Beirut Reconnect 

A key highlight of Aoun’s visit to UAE was the agreement to ease travel restrictions between the two countries — a move set to facilitate the movement of citizens and promote closer

Putin lauds UAE’s role in prisoner swaps 

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and President Vladimir Putin reaffirm growing partnership amid UAE’s humanitarian role in Ukraine conflict  In a strong display of strategic diplomacy and humanitarian leadership, President His

ATM 2025 sets new standard 

The global event drew over 55,000 travel and tourism professionals from 166 countries, marking a 16% year-on-year increase in attendance and cementing Dubai’s role as a key hub for shaping the future
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Pakistan Advises Against Using Indian-Origin AI and ICT Products

It noted that globally AI products and services are being

India’s omission from US CPC list shocks Pakistan

Pakistan was re-designated into the list of CPC by the