Pakistan Urges Afghanistan to Hand Over TTP Militants.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has called on the Afghan interim government to hand over Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants. These militants were involved in a suicide attack that killed five Chinese nationals and their driver in Pakistan’s northwest in March.
China’s Strategic Investments Under Threat
China is a major ally and investor in Pakistan. However, both separatists and militants have targeted Chinese projects and personnel in recent years. The deadly suicide attack on March 26 targeted Chinese workers on their way to the Dasu hydropower project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This project is a key part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a cornerstone of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. China has pledged over $65 billion for infrastructure development in Pakistan.
Increasing Cross-Border Threats
Speaking at a press conference, Naqvi emphasized the importance of Pakistan’s relationship with China. He noted that both countries support each other economically, politically, and diplomatically. However, he highlighted the growing cross-border threat from Afghanistan, which poses a significant risk to regional security.
“We want good relations with Afghanistan,” Naqvi stated. “But this is only possible if they support us and prevent their land from being used for terrorism against us. The Afghan government must arrest these terrorists, hold a trial, or hand them over to us.”
Recent Attacks on Chinese Interests
The Dasu attack in March was the third major assault on Chinese interests within a short span. On March 20, militants targeted a strategic port used by China in Balochistan. This region has seen significant Chinese investment in infrastructure. Another attack on March 25 targeted a naval air base in the southwest. Both of these attacks were claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a prominent separatist group in Balochistan.
Naqvi stated that militants based in Afghanistan specifically threaten the security of Chinese nationals in Pakistan. “We have raised this issue with the interim Afghan government and pressed them to control these terrorists, but so far we have not seen positive results,” he said. He added that Pakistan is making all possible arrangements to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals working in the country.
Arrests and Investigations
Pakistan’s counter-terrorism chief, Rai Tahir, also spoke at the press conference. He revealed that authorities had arrested 11 militants involved in the Dasu suicide bombing. Evidence showed that these militants were receiving instructions from TTP leaders in Afghanistan.
Surge in Militant Attacks
Pakistan has experienced a surge in militant attacks in its western regions bordering Afghanistan. This increase followed the TTP’s decision to end its fragile truce with the Pakistani government in November 2022. In response, Pakistan ordered all illegal immigrants to leave the country by November 1, leading to a mass exodus, mainly of Afghans.
Despite calls from the United Nations, rights groups, and Western embassies to reconsider the expulsion plan, Pakistan stood firm. Officials stated that many Afghan nationals were involved in militant activities and crimes undermining the country’s security. Kabul denied these accusations, asserting that Pakistan’s security issues are a domestic matter.
Pakistan is urging Afghanistan to hand over TTP militants responsible for a deadly attack on Chinese nationals. The incident highlights the ongoing threat to Chinese investments and personnel in Pakistan, a crucial aspect of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has stressed the need for cooperation from Afghanistan to prevent terrorism and ensure regional security.
