The Take Pakistan and the Taliban’s uneasy peace
Oct 23, 2025
Ali Latifi, Asia editor at The New Humanitarian, dives into the fraught dynamics between Pakistan and the Taliban-led Afghanistan. He discusses the recent ceasefire following intense cross-border violence, marked by accusations from Pakistan of Afghan support for the Pakistani Taliban. Latifi explains the complex history of insurgency and grievances among local communities. He offers insights on the limits of the ceasefire, the challenges of the Afghanistan-Pakistan relationship, and the uncertain outcomes of upcoming talks in Istanbul.
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Roots Of The Pakistan Taliban
- The TTP grew from long-running Pakistani military operations and grievances among Pashtun communities.
- Ethnic marginalization and resource disputes fuel both armed wings and political protest movements.
Airstrikes Over Kabul Mark New Escalation
- Pakistan’s strikes over Kabul marked a major escalation because they violated Afghan airspace and sovereignty.
- Afghan authorities compared the overflights to a NATO drone strike and reacted strongly to the infringement.
Targeted Strike Claim Backfires
- Pakistan claimed to have targeted TTP leader Nur Wali Massoud but he later released a voice message saying he was unharmed.
- The episode echoed earlier 'war on terror' strikes that produced contested claims about targets and casualties.