FM Bilawal says banned TTP is Pakistan's 'absolute red line'

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari says it has been communicated to Afghanistan that banned outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is Pakistan's red line.

"The Afghan Taliban have been told that our [Pakistan and Afghanistan] ties will not remain fine if the TTP is not stopped," Bilawal said.

An increase in the number of terror incidents has put the security apparatus in the country on high alert with the most recent Bannu hostage crisis sending shockwaves across the country. Over 120 policemen were martyred and over 125 others were wounded in different kinds of attacks on the police force in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the current year.

Further, in a media talk at the Pakistani embassy in Washington, FM Bilawal said Pakistan is willing to provide assistance to Afghanistan for operations against militants but it cannot be ignored if it was proved that the Afghan Taliban are not stopping the TTP.

The Taliban leaders also pledged before the US and the entire world to take action against militant groups on Afghan soil, he added.

Moving on to counterterrorism in Pakistan, FM Bilawal said that no new agreement has been signed with the United States over it.

"Pakistan seeks funds for Afghanistan for its people instead of the Afghan Taliban," the minister said.