The Taliban regime in Kabul has issued a stern warning to Pakistan, vowing to defend Afghan territory against any aggression. This strong stance follows the collapse of recent peace talks between the two nations, which ended without resolution. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan declared that it would not permit any country to utilize Afghan soil for hostile operations, emphasizing its commitment to safeguarding its people and land. The official spokesman for the Islamic Emirate reaffirmed Afghanistan’s ‘principled position’ that its territory will not be used against any other nation, nor will it allow external interference in its sovereignty or security. The statement highlighted that defending Afghanistan is both an Islamic and national obligation. Appreciation was extended to Turkey and Qatar for their mediation efforts in the failed dialogue. The Taliban also directly accused ‘certain military elements’ within Pakistan of pursuing policies that undermine Afghanistan’s stability, suggesting these factions view a strong Afghan government as a threat to their own interests and exploit periods of unrest to sow discord. Tensions have been high recently, exacerbated by deadly border clashes. The Taliban expressed disappointment with Pakistan’s delegation, deeming their attitude ‘irresponsible and non-cooperative,’ which they claim led to the talks’ failure. Despite this, they extended goodwill to the Pakistani people, calling them ‘brothers’ and hoping for regional peace and stability. Furthermore, the Taliban dismissed Pakistan’s allegations linking the rise of the TTP to their return to power as ‘false and baseless,’ asserting that militancy in Pakistan is an internal issue predating their rule. Kabul detailed measures taken to promote stability, including encouraging dialogue, relocating refugees, and disarming refugee communities, aiming to prevent further regional conflict.
