Kabul urges Pakistani leaders to refrain from ‘hostile statements,’ stresses brotherly ties

• Afghan govt spokesperson says Taliban not responsible for attacks in Pakistan, calls for dialogue
• Mujahid calls TTP an internal matter of Pakistan, denying Afghan soil being used for cross-border attacks
• Rejects Kabul’s role in Bannu and other bombings, saying militancy in Pakistan dates back to 2003
• Urges dialogue, brotherly ties, stability, and trust-building visits, saying Kabul making efforts to stop misuse of its territory

KABUL/ISLAMABAD: The spokesperson for the Taliban government in Afghanistan, Zabiullah Mujahid, has said that leaders should refrain from issuing “provocative” statements, stressing that Afghanistan could not be held responsible for attacks taking place inside Pakistan.

Mujahid’s remarks came as Pakistan continues to voice concern over terrorist outfits—particularly the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)—using Afghan soil to launch cross-border attacks. Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to “choose between maintaining ties with Pakistan or harboring terrorists,” but Afghan authorities have consistently rejected the allegations.

The comments were made during an interview with Imtiaz Gul, executive director of the Islamabad-based Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS). The interview, conducted in Pushto during Gul’s recent visit to Kandahar, focused on recurring irritants in Pak-Afghan ties, including the presence of TTP militants and media narratives harming bilateral relations.

When asked whether a “joint mechanism” was needed to address such issues, Mujahid replied that leaders must avoid provocative or threatening statements, warning that such rhetoric “spoils the environment.” Instead, he urged dialogue and regular visits to build trust, saying, “Giving statements to the media, spoiling the environment, and taking military action is unwise.”

Mujahid also noted that militancy in Pakistan was not a new phenomenon, recalling that attacks had been taking place “since 2003.” He said Pakistan should take its own security measures and share intelligence with Kabul if it faces threats emanating from Afghan soil. However, he underlined that Afghanistan “cannot be held responsible for bomb blasts in Bannu or any other area of Pakistan.”

The Taliban spokesperson rejected Pakistan’s stance that the TTP’s presence in Afghanistan was the core issue straining relations, calling it an “internal matter of Pakistan.” He said, “Pakistan should find a solution to this problem and not spoil ties with Kabul over it.” He reiterated that Afghanistan was making efforts to ensure its territory was not used against any country, although the terrain in some areas made monitoring difficult.

Mujahid’s interview followed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent stern warning to Kabul that Afghanistan must decide whether it stands with Pakistan or the TTP. The premier had issued the warning after attending the funeral of 12 soldiers martyred in South Waziristan.

Reiterating his government’s preference for diplomacy, Mujahid said, “We should resolve these issues through negotiations. Afghanistan does not want fighting, bloodshed or difficulties in Pakistan. Afghans want brotherly ties and normalization of relations.”

He further urged Pakistani policymakers to reform their approach, calling on religious scholars to play a role in strengthening relations. Delivering a message to the people of Pakistan, Mujahid concluded, “Afghans do not want lawlessness in Pakistan. Afghanistan wants peace, stability, and good neighborly ties.”