Ishaq Dar: A Cup of Tea in Afghanistan opened Pakistan’s border to TTP
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister has stated that thousands of militants have returned to Pakistan following the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Ishaq Dar, referring to the former ISI chief’s visit to Kabul, sarcastically asked, “Who opened the borders to terrorists again with a cup of tea?”
On Thursday, January 2, in a press conference, Ishaq Dar stated that the “festering wound of terrorism” has resurfaced in Pakistan. He told reporters, “This wound was healing in Pakistan. The terrorists had been weakened or had fled the country.”
Referring to the resurgence of militant groups in the country, Dar sarcastically remarked, “Now, who reopened the borders with a cup of tea, and allowed criminals to be freed from prisons, leading to the resurgence of terrorism”
Dar was referring to a visit made three years ago by General Faiz Hameed, the former head of Pakistan’s intelligence agency, to Kabul. Earlier, Dar had also remarked sarcastically in a London meeting that “drinking a cup of tea” had not solved Islamabad’s security problems. He added, “Pakistan is paying the price for that cup of tea.”
Earlier, In a press conference in London, Dar stated, “Pakistan is paying the price for that cup of tea in Afghanistan.” His comment was in response to a question about General Faiz Hameed’s role in Afghanistan and his visit to Kabul shortly before the fall of the previous Afghanistan government.
When asked if General Hameed traveled to Kabul with the permission of Pakistan’s then-Prime Minister Imran Khan, Dar responded, “It is hard for me to believe that he went to Kabul without the Prime Minister’s approval (Imran Khan). Such actions are not possible without the Prime Minister’s consent.”
Furthermore, Dar heavily criticized the policies of Imran Khan’s government towards the Taliban, stating that the decisions made during that time have now led to significant problems for Pakistan.
Dar also criticized the release of prisoners during the early days of Taliban rule, claiming that some of those freed were “the masterminds of terrorism” in Balochistan.
Ishaq Dar further stated that Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s new special representative for Afghanistan, has been appointed to address the issue of Pakistani militants (TTP) with the caretake administration in Afghanistan.
He added, “I myself have decided several times to visit Afghanistan, but every time I make the decision, an incident happens. Once it was the Karachi incident, and this time it’s this issue.” Dar’s comment seemingly refers to the recent tensions between Islamabad and the Afghan Taliban, which have escalated following Pakistan’s airstrikes on Paktika province.
It is worth mentioning that a photo of General Faiz Hameed surfaced in the early days of Kabul’s fall, showing him alongside Pakistan’s former ambassador to Afghanistan at the Serena Hotel.
Dar’s remarks reflect the ongoing political tensions and frustrations within Pakistan regarding the country’s involvement in Afghanistan. These statements suggest a growing concern over the consequences of past decisions, especially related to the military’s support for the Taliban, and the impact those choices have had on Pakistan’s current situation.
The conversation around Faiz Hameed’s actions and Pakistan’s relationship with the Taliban continues to fuel debates within the political sphere, especially as the country faces the long-term repercussions of its role in Afghanistan’s turbulent transition. These discussions highlight the complex nature of international relations in South Asia, with lasting effects on regional stability and security.
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