The Taliban government in Afghanistan has issued a stern warning to Pakistan, vowing to defend its territory against any external aggression. This strong stance comes as the latest round of peace talks between the two nations has reached an impasse. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan explicitly stated it will not allow any country to utilize Afghan soil for hostile activities, emphasizing a commitment to its sovereignty and security. A spokesman for the Taliban reiterated the nation’s “principled position,” asserting that Afghan land will not be used against other countries, nor will Afghanistan permit any nation to act against its own security.
“The defense of the people and the land of Afghanistan is both an Islamic and national duty of the Islamic Emirate,” the statement declared. “Afghanistan will defend itself against any aggression.” The Taliban also acknowledged the mediation efforts of Turkey and Qatar, referring to them as “two brotherly nations.”
The Taliban’s strong message followed accusations that certain elements within the Pakistani military are pursuing policies detrimental to Afghanistan’s stability. Kabul alleges that these “certain military elements” are attempting to sow discord through fabricated pretexts, viewing a strong and stable Afghan government as a threat to their agendas. The statement highlighted, “Unfortunately, some military elements in Pakistan appear to consider Afghanistan’s stability, security, and development as threats to their objectives.” These elements, the Taliban claims, exploit periods of regional unrest to destabilize the area.
Recent weeks have seen a sharp escalation of tensions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, with deadly clashes resulting in numerous casualties on both sides. These violent confrontations followed explosions in Kabul on October 9th, which coincided with the Taliban foreign minister’s visit to India. A fragile ceasefire, brokered by Qatar on October 19th, has since brought a temporary halt to the fighting.
The Taliban expressed significant disappointment with what they termed the “irresponsible and non-cooperative” approach of the Pakistani delegation, attributing the collapse of the peace talks to this behavior. Despite these diplomatic setbacks, the group extended goodwill towards the “Muslim people of Pakistan,” referring to them as “brothers” and expressing a desire for regional peace and stability.
Furthermore, the Islamic Emirate categorically dismissed Pakistan’s repeated assertions linking the rise of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to the Taliban’s return to power. The Taliban spokesperson described these allegations as “false and baseless,” arguing that militancy within Pakistan predates the current Afghan government and is primarily an internal Pakistani issue. “The problem is primarily Pakistan’s internal issue, not one caused by the Islamic Emirate,” the spokesperson stated.
To foster regional stability, the Taliban government outlined several proactive measures, including encouraging dialogue among religious and political leaders, relocating tribal refugees from border areas, and prohibiting weapons within refugee communities. As diplomatic channels strain and border tensions persist, the Taliban’s firm warning underscores the precarious state of regional relations and the challenges in preventing further conflict.