Feb 5, 2022: Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, citing the recent rise in terrorist attacks across the country, warned that such incidents could escalate further in the coming days.
Addressing a Kashmir Solidarity rally in Rawalpindi, Rashid said, “I do not want to comment on the talks [with the TTP]. The Taliban are playing a mediatory role but the incidents which took place during the last week could increase further,”
The minister was referring to the Afghan Taliban-mediated talks between Pakistan and the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which led to a one-month ceasefire. After the Taliban’s return to power in August, Pakistan approached the Afghan Taliban leadership, including action against the TTP.
The Afghan Taliban offered their good offices to negotiate a peace deal with the TTP. Pakistan accepted the offer and a ceasefire agreement was reached in November after some face-to-face meetings between the two sides. However, National Security Adviser Moeed Yousaf told the Senate committee that the banned TTP had unilaterally ended the ceasefire.
On Thursday, the Interior Ministry issued another threat alert in the wake of the recent terrorist attacks, instructing the authorities concerned to be “extremely vigilant and extra vigilant” against threats posed by “anti-state elements”.
In the wake of recent terrorist attacks by miscreants in Panjgur and Noshki districts of Balochistan, the second threat alert, issued in less than two weeks, states: “All provincial governments, intelligence agencies. High vigilance and extra vigilance should be ensured and law enforcement agencies should thwart any nefarious intentions of anti-state elements.”
Rashid said Pakistan’s development was linked to stability in Afghanistan, adding that the Taliban had gained independence after 40 years of war and that Pakistan had friendly relations with the interim government in Afghanistan.
“Pakistan’s defense is in safe hands, and we have not made bombs to use on Diwali or Shab-e-Barat. Any move to destabilize the country will be dealt with with an iron fist,” he said.
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