ISLAMABAD — Pakistan‘s caretaker prime minister claimed on Monday that U.S. army tools left behind throughout the American withdrawal from Afghanistan has fallen into militant palms and finally made its strategy to the Pakistani Taliban.
The tools – which incorporates all kinds of things, from night time imaginative and prescient goggles to firearms – is now “emerging as a new challenge” for Islamabad because it has enhanced the combating capabilities of the Pakistani Taliban, Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar stated.
The Pakistani Taliban, often called Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, have over the previous months intensified assaults on Pakistan‘s safety forces. They are a separate militant group however an ally of the Afghan Taliban.
The Taliban overran Afghanistan in mid-August 2021 as U.S. and NATO troops had been within the final weeks of their chaotic pullout from the nation after 20 years of struggle. In the face of the Taliban sweep, the U.S.-backed and educated Afghan army crumbled.
There isn’t any particular data on how a lot U.S. tools was left behind – however the Taliban seized U.S.-supplied firepower, recovering weapons, ammunition, helicopters and different trendy army tools from Afghan forces who surrendered it. Though nobody is aware of the precise worth, U.S. protection officers have confirmed it’s vital.
Speaking to a choose group of journalists at his workplace Monday within the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, Kakar didn’t present any proof to assist his allegation or immediately hyperlink the Afghan Taliban and the TTP. He stated there was a must undertake a “coordinated approach” to tackling the problem of the leftover tools.
Kakar additionally didn’t criticize the Afghan Taliban – Islamabad has tried to achieve out and act as an interlocutor between the worldwide group and the brand new rulers in Kabul, who’ve been ostracized for the cruel edicts they imposed since their takeover.
However, two safety officers in Islamabad informed The Associated Press that the TTP both purchased the tools from the Afghan Taliban, or was given it as an ally. The officers spoke on situation of anonymity to debate the topic.
The Pakistani Taliban have additionally launched statements and video clips in latest months, claiming they possess, for instance, weapons with laser and thermal sighting methods.
TTP fighters now goal Pakistani troops from a distance, whereas earlier than their solely weapons had been AK-47 assault rifles, one of many officers stated, with out elaborating.
Still, Pakistani safety forces will proceed to struggle militants “to defend our home, children, mosques and places of worship,” Kakar stated.
Kakar, 52, was sworn in final month as Pakistan‘s youngest prime minister to move a caretaker authorities. His Cabinet will run day-to-day affairs till the following parliamentary elections. The vote, which was to be held in October or November, is more likely to be delayed till at the very least January 2024 as Pakistan‘s elections oversight physique says it wants time to redraw constituencies to replicate the newest census outcomes.
Kakar dominated out any talks between the federal government and the TTP because the militants unilaterally broke off a cease-fire final November.
Since the Taliban takeover subsequent door, Islamabad says TTP fighters have more and more been given shelter by the Afghan Taliban, straining relations between Islamabad and Kabul.
Pakistan grew to become a key ally of Washington in its struggle in opposition to terror after the 9/11 assaults within the United States. This majority Muslim nation is presently going through one of many worst financial crises whilst its political turmoil deepens.
At his information convention, Kakar additionally careworn that each one political events – together with the Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf opposition occasion of now imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan – could be allowed to take part within the upcoming elections.
“We are here just to assist electoral process,” Kakar stated.
He didn’t immediately point out Khan, who shouldn’t be eligible to run within the elections as he’s serving a three-year jail time period for corruption. Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in April 2022, stays the nation’s main opposition determine.
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