What happened
Pakistan’s Information Ministry has rejected claims by the Afghan Taliban that Kabul lacks the capability or interest to fuel insecurity in Pakistan. According to Dawn, the ministry criticized the interim Afghan administration for relying on "diversionary allegations" instead of preventing terrorist groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks across the border.
The response followed a statement on X by Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid, who asserted that Afghanistan does not possess the resources to finance or foster instability in neighboring countries. Mujahid also claimed that Islamabad's strategy distracted Pakistani security forces from their primary duties. Pakistan's Information Ministry countered that its security concerns are documented and based on solid evidence rather than conjecture.
Key facts
To support its stance, the ministry pointed to international findings and recent cross-border incidents:
- A UN Security Council report and a US Lead Inspector General report both detailed the ongoing presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan.
- The US report estimated the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) strength at 4,000 to 6,000 fighters, noting that the Taliban continue to afford the group support and liberty to operate.
- Pakistan highlighted repeated cross-border infiltration attempts, the recovery of foreign-origin weapons, and the involvement of Afghan nationals in militant activities.
- Islamabad raised concerns regarding alleged support for terrorist groups by Afghan Taliban officials, including figures in Kandahar.
- Separately, the ministry rejected allegations by former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who claimed Pakistan was arming Afghans to fight the Taliban. Full details regarding Khalilzad's statement are not specified in the source; please check the official notice.
Why it matters
Cross-border terrorism has continuously strained ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Tensions previously escalated following September airstrikes and drone incursions along the shared border. Pakistan reiterated that its defensive actions are aimed solely at militant groups, such as the TTP and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), and not at the Afghan people.
While Islamabad affirmed it remains open to engagement based on verifiable commitments and mutual respect, it emphasized that regional peace depends on Kabul taking concrete steps to eliminate terrorist sanctuaries on Afghan soil.
Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 24, 2026 · Photo by AbsolutVision on Unsplash