Chinese Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, recently stated that around 20 terrorist outfits are active in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, officials in the interim Afghan government and propaganda tools of the Afghan Taliban scrambled to belittle the personality of the Chinese ambassador over his concerns for the security of Chinese citizens. In the same statement, Ambassador Yue spoke about $64 million in humanitarian aid in the last three years, and he pledged further Chinese assistance for Afghanistan. Instead of appreciating China for its generosity, the media resource of the Afghan Taliban, Al-Mirsad, alleged that Ambassador Yue made this statement under the influence of Pakistan.

The Chinese special envoy for Afghanistan is a well-informed person on terrorism emanating from Afghanistan, and the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) is a globally acclaimed intelligence service. Perhaps the reason for Yue’s criticism was an attack on a Chinese company in Tajikistan by Afghan assailants on 18 November, 2024. According to the details in the media, one Chinese was killed and four others were injured in an attack perpetrated by armed men across the border from Afghanistan. Therefore, the Afghan interim government would lose Chinese support if it does not take serious measures to remove such threats to the interests of China in the region.

No doubt, Pakistan and China enjoy a credible partnership over counterterrorism operations, which is marked by shared assessment and joint efforts to eradicate threats to mutual interests. However, the claim by media sources like Al-Mirsad that China is making its statements based only on Pakistani information is baseless. A global power like China is independent in its policies and statements and makes decisions keeping in mind its national interests.

There are also reports that the Afghan Taliban had resurrected the East Turkmenistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which is an entirely anti-China terrorist organization.

The statement of the Chinese envoy regarding terrorist groups in Afghanistan is a reflection of the ground realities, and this assessment is shared by other major powers as well. Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov has also raised concerns over growing terrorist groups in Afghanistan, and he has warned that these militants could destabilize Central Asian states. Similarly, General Michael E Kurilla, commander US Central Command, said in March that Afghanistan is harboring TTP, and inaction against ISIS-K sanctuaries would incite violent conflicts in South and Central Asia. Therefore, Ambassador Yue is not a solitary voice in this regard, and Afghan officials and media outlets should pay heed to his opinion.

There are also reports that the Afghan Taliban had resurrected the East Turkmenistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which is an entirely anti-China terrorist organization, and Chinese authorities could not ignore this development in Afghanistan. A report of UNSC has claimed that TTP and ETIM are also working closely in Afghanistan.

The most worrisome aspect of the Afghan Taliban is their support for the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). The Afghan Taliban and TTP are facilitating BLA for extortion in Balochistan, and they are targeting the interests of China in Pakistan. The chief of BLA Majeed Brigade, Bashir Zeb, and TTP chief Noor Wali Mehsud are living in Afghanistan. TTP, BLA, and ETIM are collaborating on terrorist attacks on Chinese interests in Pakistan, and joint investigations of China and Pakistan had uncovered planning and training of recent terrorist attacks in Afghanistan. It is regrettable that the involvement of the Afghan Taliban is found in most of the attacks on Chinese interests in Pakistan.

China gives preference to economic gains over politics, and its engagement with the interim Afghan government is motivated by the same spirit. It has provided major trade incentives to Afghanistan, and it has also made an offer of extending an economic corridor to Afghanistan. It is a moment of reflection for the Afghan Taliban; they must understand that sheltering terrorists on their soil could prove to be a disastrous move for them. If they do not take strong action against these groups, the situation in the region will get out of their hands. Afghanistan must protect its own interests and prove through its actions that it is against terrorists, not their facilitators.

The propaganda of sources like Al-Mirsad is simply a failed attempt to distort reality. Urgent and strong measures must be taken to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorists; otherwise, this game will cause irreparable damage not only to Afghanistan but also to the entire region.