Web Desk; The spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Taliban government, Zabihullah Mujahid, has said that leaders should avoid making “provocative” remarks and insisted that Afghanistan cannot be held responsible for militant attacks taking place inside Pakistan.
His comments come amid Pakistan’s repeated concerns that the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is using Afghan soil to carry out cross-border assaults. Islamabad has urged Kabul to make a clear choice between maintaining friendly ties or harbouring militants — allegations consistently denied by Afghan authorities.
Mujahid made the remarks during an interview with Imtiaz Gul, executive director of the Islamabad-based Centre for Research and Security Studies, recorded in Kandahar in the Pashto language during Gul’s recent visit.
When asked about proposals to address recurring issues such as the TTP and hostile propaganda in the media, Mujahid stressed that issuing threatening statements only worsens matters. “Giving statements to the media, spoiling the environment and taking military action is unwise,” he said, urging both sides to increase dialogue and visits to build trust.
He added that his government was “unhappy with the current climate of propaganda” as it served neither Pakistan’s nor Afghanistan’s interests. Attacks in Pakistan, he argued, were not new: “These incidents have been happening since 2003. Pakistan should take measures to prevent them and share intelligence with Kabul so that we can work together to counter threats.”
However, he underlined that Afghanistan could not be blamed for incidents like bombings in Bannu or elsewhere in Pakistan. “Pakistan must ensure its own security,” he asserted, while also suggesting that both sides should engage in direct talks to address the root causes of terrorism.
Mujahid’s comments followed a stern warning from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who recently told Kabul it must choose between Pakistan and the TTP after attending the funeral of 12 soldiers martyred in South Waziristan.
On strained ties between the two neighbours, Mujahid reiterated that the TTP issue was Pakistan’s “internal problem.” He said, “Pakistan should resolve this matter and not damage its relationship with Kabul over it.” Still, he assured that Afghanistan was taking steps to ensure that its territory was not used against any other country. “We do not want fighting, bloodshed or difficulties in Pakistan,” he added.
Mujahid also conveyed a broader message: “Afghanistan desires brotherly ties with Pakistan. Allegations and threats complicate matters. Problems should be solved through negotiations.” He called on Pakistani policymakers and religious scholars to play their part in fostering better relations.
Concluding, Mujahid addressed the Pakistani people directly: “Afghans do not want instability in Pakistan. We want normalisation of relations and peace between our two countries.”
