Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani has called for security in Pakistan, urging both countries to avoid creating problems for one another, even as tensions between the two sides remain high.
Haqqani made the remarks during a visit to Barmal district, Paktika province in border near Pakistan, where he described Afghanistan as a country of dialogue and tribal councils and said the two neighbours should seek stability rather than confrontation.
“Pakistan is our Muslim and brotherly neighbour. We want security in Pakistan, and we hope God will bring about such security that they do not pose a problem to us and we do not pose a problem to them,” he told a gathering in Barmal district.
His comments come as Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban of allowing militants, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), to operate from Afghan territory – allegations the Taliban deny.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said this week that all talks with the Taliban had failed, accusing them of ignoring Islamabad’s demands to take action against the TTP and other militant groups that Pakistan says threaten its security.
Islamabad has said cross-border attacks have continued despite multiple rounds of talks with the Taliban, including meetings hosted by Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
Relations have further deteriorated in recent months, with all major transit and trade crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan remaining closed for nearly three months, inflicting millions of dollars in losses on both sides, according to business groups.
As ties with Pakistan have strained, the Taliban have expanded diplomatic engagement with India, hosting senior visits and calling for increased Indian investment and stronger political relations.
Analysts say the competing regional alignments risk deepening tensions at a time when Afghanistan faces economic hardship and increasing isolation.
