The Facts
Pakistan's National Security Council stated on Monday that "No country will be allowed to provide sanctuaries and facilitation to terrorists..." after meeting to discuss recent attacks in the country.
Following the meeting, Pakistani defense minister Khwaja Asif alleged that armed groups using Afghan territory to launch cross-border attacks against neighboring Pakistan.
The Spin
Narrative A
Pakistan has failed its citizens by supporting the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, as these would-be "strategic assets" to Pakistan have now become strategic threats. Afghanistan's support of the TTP should come as no surprise, and Pakistan is scrambling to correct course after this blunder. After the fall of Kabul, the Taliban is turning their eyes toward Islamabad next.
Narrative B
There is no solution to this problem without the involvement of Afghanistan, and the Pakistani government has made it clear that they are tirelessly engaging diplomatically with the Afghanistan government. As both the Afghan and Pakistani governments have indicated their support for a productive path forward, progress will continue so long as neither side changes course and chooses violence over peace.
