Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, currently incarcerated in Adiala Jail, emphasized the crucial need for Pakistan to strengthen ties with Afghanistan to successfully combat the Pakistani Taliban (TTP). 

In a conversation with journalists in Adiala Jail, on Friday, Khan stressed that cooperation with Afghanistan is vital in the fight against terrorism in Pakistan. 

Khan highlighted the futility of operations against the TTP without Afghan support, as militants would simply escape across the border. 

“You will conduct an operation against the Taliban (TTP), and they will simply flee to Afghanistan. Unless you get support from Afghanistan you cannot succeed in this operation,” PTI leader Imran Khan said. 

He also maintained that Afghan government support is essential to defeat the TTP, considering the extensively long and porous border of 2,500 km Pakistan shares with Afghanistan.

He questioned the absence of official visits to Afghanistan by former Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto and the current Minister, Ishaq Dar.

“Why didn't Bilawal Bhutto and our foreign minister visit Afghanistan?” he objected. 

Despite political differences, Khan announced that his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will participate in the government’s all-party conference on the government's Azm-e-Istehkam counter-terrorism initiative, prioritizing the country's interests.

“We will attend the all-party conference. This is a national issue and we will attend it for the sake of the country,” the former Prime Minister said.