‘Choose Pakistan or TTP’: Asim Munir warns Afghan Taliban amid rising tensions

Asim Munir

Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has urged Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers to make a clear choice between supporting the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and maintaining relations with Islamabad, alleging that a majority of militants infiltrating Pakistan are Afghan nationals.

Addressing the National Ulema Conference in Islamabad on December 10, Munir said Pakistan continues to bear the brunt of cross-border militancy and questioned Kabul’s stance amid rising violence. While official details of the speech were not released, excerpts were aired on local television on Sunday, according to news agency PTI.

During his address, Munir directly appealed to the Afghan Taliban government to decide whether it stood with Pakistan or with the TTP. He claimed Afghan nationals made up a significant portion of militants entering Pakistan.

“In the TTP formations coming into Pakistan, 70 per cent are Afghans,” Munir said, asking whether the bloodshed amounted to Pakistani children being killed.

Reiterating his concerns, the Field Marshal said the continued movement of militants across the border posed a serious threat to Pakistan’s security and stability. He has previously alleged that Taliban-linked groups receive support from India.

Tensions between Islamabad and Kabul have escalated in recent months, with Pakistan repeatedly accusing the Afghan Taliban of failing to curb militant groups operating from Afghan soil, particularly the TTP. Pakistan maintains that militants cross the Durand Line to carry out attacks, an allegation consistently denied by Taliban officials in Kabul.

Munir also addressed the issue of religious authority, stressing that individuals or non-state actors cannot declare jihad. He said only the state has the legitimacy to issue such a call within an Islamic system.

“No one can issue a fatwa for jihad without the order, permission and will of those vested with authority,” he told the gathering.

His speech relied heavily on religious references, with repeated citations from the Quran and Islamic history. Drawing parallels between Pakistan and the early Islamic state established by the Prophet over 1,400 years ago, Munir said Pakistan holds a special position in the Islamic world.

He noted that among 57 Islamic nations, Pakistan had been given what he described as the responsibility of safeguarding the Haramain Sharifain, referring to Makkah and Madina.

Munir also claimed Pakistan received “divine help” during the military confrontation with India in May, saying the support was felt on the ground.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. The strikes led to four days of intense military exchanges before both sides agreed to halt hostilities on May 10.