KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The Taliban have begun arresting individuals linked to cross-border attacks in Pakistan, marking a shift in their approach after years of strained relations with Islamabad over terrorism concerns.
Diplomatic sources told The Express Tribune that the Taliban have, for the first time since overtaking power in 2021, taken “concrete action” against individuals joining or recruiting for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The crackdown followed a quiet diplomatic visit in March by a Pakistani delegation led by Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq Khan. During the trip, Taliban officials reportedly briefed the delegation on steps to prevent Afghanistan soil from being used for attacks against Pakistan.
Dozens of suspected TTP affiliates, particularly recruiters, have been arrested. The arrests came after Pakistan provided intelligence indicating increased Afghan involvement in suicide bombings in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The effort appears to have had an impact, with Pakistani officials saying there has been a drop in cross-border attacks since the arrests began. The improvement has helped thaw bilateral ties and rebuild some trust.
In response, Pakistan has eased trade restrictions. It lifted the requirement for Afghan importers to provide bank guarantees—one of several steps taken after Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar visited Kabul on April 19. It was the first high-level Pakistani visit to Afghanistan in three years.
Taliban leaders reportedly gained further trust from Islamabad by intercepting over 70 militants, mostly Afghans, who attempted to cross into Pakistan near North Waziristan following the Pahalgam attack. All were killed in what Pakistani authorities described as the largest single-day counter-terror operation since 9/11.
China has played a quiet mediating role. On May 21, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted an unannounced trilateral meeting in Beijing with Afghan and Pakistani counterparts. The countries agreed in principle to exchange ambassadors for the first time since 2021.
Pakistan-Taliban relations have deteriorated in recent years, largely due to the presence of TTP fighters in Afghanistan and recurring border clashes. Islamabad accuses the Taliban of sheltering militants who orchestrate attacks from Afghanistan bases.
The Taliban deny the allegations, insisting no group is allowed to use Afghanistan soil to target other nations.
Estimates suggest up to 6,000 TTP fighters and their families remain in Afghanistan, according to Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s former special envoy to Kabul.
