Former Pakistani envoy to Afghanistan Asif Durrani has cautioned that Islamabad's focus on curbing Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) activities inside Afghanistan will not resolve the militancy issue at home.

Writing in Geo News on Wednesday, Durrani said the group's defeat depends on winning local support in Pakistan's tribal regions rather than relying solely on cross-border operations. He reflected the Taliban's position that TTP's roots lie in Pakistan's domestic grievances, not Afghan soil.

Durrani urged Pakistani authorities to combine diplomacy with targeted operations, warning that military actions alone cannot bring lasting peace. He also proposed seeking international arrest warrants for TTP leaders through the UN Security Council's 1267 Committee.

He emphasized the need to challenge the TTP's ideological and religious narratives by empowering local communities and strengthening police forces, arguing that public backing was essential for sustainable security.

The veteran diplomat warned that mass deportations of Afghan refugees could fuel anti-Pakistan sentiment and urged Islamabad to send“a message of friendship” instead. He said economic and people-to-people ties, including joint trade and Afghan investments in Pakistan, could stabilize relations.

Durrani also noted that Afghan Taliban leaders are hesitant to act against TTP elements for fear they might join Islamic State–Khorasan. However, he insisted that the Taliban must confront and expel such groups to meet their regional obligations.

He concluded that the Taliban's centralized leadership in Kandahar dominates all major decisions, limiting negotiators' flexibility in Istanbul talks. According to Durrani, the Taliban deliberately prolong dialogue, viewing concessions as weakness-a stance that could stall future peace efforts between Islamabad and Kabul.

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