Pakistan Prime Minister Condemns Deadly Cross-Border Fire by Taliban Forces
Wall Street JournalDec 24, 2022
The Facts
Pakistan's military has said that at least seven people died and 16 others suffered injuries in Chaman on Sunday, reportedly as the result of heavy gunfire and artillery shelling by Afghan border forces.
In response to the incident, Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif tweeted that this "unprovoked shelling" at the Friendship Gate of Chaman border crossing "deserves the strongest condemnation." Sharif also called on the caretaker Afghan admin. to prevent similar incidents.
The Spin
Narrative A
Pakistan is trying to maintain peace on its side, yet this is the latest of many recent unprovoked Taliban attacks on Pakistani land. Whether it be the TTP's attacks on Polio vaccination envoys or border checkpoints, the Afghan Taliban government needs to step up and fulfill its promise not to allow international attacks to emanate from its soil.
Narrative B
The increase in Taliban attacks in Pakistan is ironic given that Islamabad welcomed the US withdrawal from its neighboring state. Both countries have a history of promoting radical Islamic militarism, which is why it's no surprise to see a surge in such attacks on their border. If Pakistan wishes to maintain a peaceful society, it must take a strong stance against the Taliban.
