Pakistan Changes Tack, Says No Special Treatment to Afghan Taliban on Diplomatic Grounds: Reports

In a major development, Pakistan has decided to pull back its diplomatic support, advocacy and special privileges to the Afghan Taliban regime after it failed to crack down on banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terror group.

According to sources, Pakistan is likely to call back its remaining diplomatic staff from Afghanistan anytime amid the tension between the two countries.

The Express Tribune reported that Islamabad will no longer extend any “special privileges” to the interim Afghan Taliban government.

The TTP, which was set up in 2007, wants to impose strict band on Islam across Pakistan. It has ideological links with Afghan Taliban and is also known as Pakistan Taliban.

The Express Tribune newspaper reported that the immediate implication of Pakistan’s apparent shift in its policy is that the chances of the Afghan Taliban government getting international recognition have become far slimmer than ever.

Official sources told the newspaper on Wednesday that Pakistan’s goodwill gestures and assistance extended to the Afghan Taliban government after its return to power in August 2021 were taken for granted.

After the Taliban’s return to power, Pakistan emerged as its main backer and advocate, urging the international community and stakeholders particularly the Western countries to stay engaged with the new rulers in Kabul.

Pakistan’s policy of acting as the Afghan interim government’s spokesperson often drew strong criticism both from within and outside the country. However, officials at that time defended the approach, insisting that the Afghan Taliban were a reality and had no other option but to work with them.

Islamabad made efforts with other regional players to ensure that sanctions against the Afghan Taliban government were lifted and Kabul should have access to the funds frozen by the US soon after the fall of Kabul in August 2021.

Also, Pakistan in order to facilitate the Afghan interim government, gave many incentives to Afghanistan in terms of trade and other facilities. But now, the sources said, Pakistan would no longer extend any special favours to the Afghan Taliban government as they were harbouring “our enemies”.

(with inputs from PTI)