Afghanistan and Pakistan have been at loggerheads of late, with clashes erupting across the Durand Line resulting in several deaths across both sides of the Line. Even the peace talks between the two sides failed.
Yaqub Mujahid, Afghanistan’s Defense Minister, stated that the Durand Line and other issues led to the failure of talks with Pakistan. He said in Doha that the people will decide on the Durand Line issue.
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif responded strongly, but details aren’t out of his statement. Mujahid added they don’t want strained relations with Pakistan and Islam is a religion of moderation.
Afghanistan’s Taliban government Defense Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqub Mujahid said Pakistan wanted the Durand Line to be recognized as the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan during past talks.
Mujahid said in an interview, “They wanted to call the Durand Line a border. We told them it’s an issue between Afghanistan and Pakistan that can’t be solved by me, the current government, or previous governments. Let’s not escalate it, let’s leave it for the people to decide. Mohammad Yaqub Mujahid said Pakistan was looking for excuses and didn’t want to reach an agreement during talks. Issues like the Durand Line and military operations against Pakistani refugees in Afghanistan led to the failure of talks.
Mr. Mujahid, who led the Taliban delegation in Doha, added, “Pakistan wanted us to stand against the tribes and shift the conflict across the Durand Line.”
He said, “In the talks, it seemed like they wanted to escalate the conflict with Afghanistan. There was no effort to find a solution.”
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif reacted strongly to Mohammad Yaqub Mujtahid’s statements, claiming, “They brutally and shamelessly attack our cities, kill innocent people, destroy mosques, and kill worshippers during prayers.”
He posted on X, accusing the Taliban government of “misusing Islam and lacking the qualities of Muslims mentioned in the Quran”.
The Taliban government’s Defense Minister said in an interview that, under mediator supervision, they were ready to give Pakistan a written assurance that Afghan soil wouldn’t be used against Pakistan. In return, they asked Pakistan not to harbor ISIS and anti-Taliban groups.
He further said that we have credible information that they’re coordinating, trying, and traveling to different countries, telling them to come to Pakistan, we’ll provide camps, weapons, and resources, and you’ll operate in Afghanistan along the Durand Line.
Mr. Mujahid said the Taliban government has always tried to resolve disputes with Pakistan through talks and diplomacy, prioritizing dialogue. “But Pakistan hasn’t remained committed to this principle.”
According to the Taliban government’s Defense Minister, Afghanistan’s policy towards Pakistan is based on three principles: Non-use of each other’s territory against each other, respect for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and separating trade from security issues.
In the nearly 40-minute interview, Mr. Mujahid warned that if Kabul is attacked, Islamabad will also be targeted in response, referring to recent clashes between the Taliban government and Pakistani military.
He said, “If Kabul is insecure, Islamabad will be insecure. If Kabul is targeted, Islamabad will be targeted. They shouldn’t think they can kill people, destabilize Kabul, and sit quietly in Islamabad. Islamabad will be targeted just like Kabul.”
Pakistan has often accused the Taliban government of supporting Pakistani Taliban, who use Afghan territory for attacks in Pakistan. But Mr. Mujahid says Afghan soil isn’t used against Pakistan, and Pakistan shouldn’t use its soil against Afghanistan.
Mohammad Yaqub Mujahid added that despite ongoing tensions, the door for diplomacy remains open, and if Pakistan genuinely wants to resolve issues, they’re ready to talk.
Before recent clashes between the Taliban government and Pakistan, Kabul released three Pakistani soldiers captured in previous conflicts, at Saudi Arabia’s request. Mr. Mujahid says this was done as a gesture of goodwill.
Author: Laiba Yousafzai
