Pakistan is open to real talks with the Afghan Taliban, but it has no interest in getting dragged into hollow discussions. In a recent interview, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Kabul wants dialogue with Islamabad and suggested Saudi Arabia could step in to mediate the situation.
Pakistan wasn't buying the offer. Islamabad flatly rejected Taliban warnings of retaliation should Pakistani forces launch cross-border military operations inside Afghanistan. Instead, Pakistani officials told the Taliban to stop making excuses and start dismantling the terror networks operating freely within Afghan borders.
To back its stance, Pakistan pointed to a recent terrorist attack in Kohat, saying the perpetrators crossed over from the Afghan side. Islamabad says it has consistently raised these security issues with Kabul, pushing the Taliban for concrete action rather than endless talk.
