In a major development, the United States and its key Western allies have identified the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as a major threat not just to Pakistan but also to their own security. What was significant in the joint statement was the fact that the US and its Western allies voiced grave concerns over the increasing threat of terrorist groups, including Islamic State–Khorasan Province (ISKP), Al Qaeda, TTP and others, in Afghanistan. Importantly, the joint statement noted that these groups, including TTP, “deeply affect security and stability inside the country, in the region and beyond”, and called on the Taliban to uphold Afghanistan’s obligation to deny these groups safe haven. This was the first time any Western bloc explicitly termed TTP a threat to their security, something that would be welcomed by Pakistan. The renewed interest of these powerful Western countries, which formed the core of the US coalition after the 9/11 attacks, indicated that they were increasingly concerned over the Afghanistan situation.
