30,000 Pakistani Youths Fought For Taliban, Alleges Pak Political Leader

Mulana Fazlur Rehman, leader of Pakistan's Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party, has claimed that 30,000 armed Pakistani youths have fought in Afghanistan to support the Taliban.

During a speech to his party supporters in Karachi on Sunday, Rehman contested statements by Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff regarding the border's security with Afghanistan.

He referenced a discussion with General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who claimed that extensive measures, including the installation of barbed wire costing billions of rupees, had been implemented to prevent crossings to and from Afghanistan.

Rehman questioned the effectiveness of these measures. He asked how 20 to 30 thousand armed Pakistani youths participated in the Taliban's conflict against American forces, if the borders had been sealed?

The cleric further scrutinised the alleged border security measures and expenditures made by the Pakistani military, raising concerns about the return of these youths to Pakistan, purportedly more empowered.

Highlighting potential security lapses, Rehman challenged the Pakistani military's oversight, "While you were stationed along the border, how did such a large number of armed men cross it?"

He commented on the credibility of Pakistan's military might and resources, suggesting they are unreliable.

To date, neither the Pakistani military leadership nor the Taliban have responded to Rehman's allegations.

Previously, Pakistani government leaders accused the Taliban of permitting Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants to operate from Afghan soil, alleging that TTP members have launched attacks into Pakistani cities from Afghanistan.

The Taliban have refuted these accusations, labelling the TTP threats as a domestic Pakistani issue.