Kabul: The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan has extended an olive branch to Pakistan, signaling a willingness to restore bilateral relations amid ongoing tensions. On Friday, Afghanistan’s Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani emphasized that Afghan territory is not being used against any other country, and the Taliban is ready to clarify any misunderstandings.
According to reports by Dawn, Haqqani, without directly naming Pakistan, stated that the doors for dialogue remain open. Recent months have seen multiple border clashes between the two countries, and cross-border trade has been largely suspended for the past two months.
TTP Issue at the Center
Haqqani reaffirmed that the Taliban government is adhering to the Doha Agreement and ensuring that Afghan soil is not used against other nations. His remarks appear aimed at addressing Pakistan’s concerns over the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad claims has been operating from Afghan territory to carry out attacks inside Pakistan.
“Afghanistan poses no threat to any country or region. The Taliban leadership is committed to finding sustainable solutions to eliminate international mistrust and misunderstandings. The doors for negotiations to resolve ongoing issues are not closed, and we remain committed to moving towards peace,” Haqqani said.
Haqqani’s statement is significant because the TTP is considered loyal to his faction, and his comments may serve as reassurance to Pakistan, which has faced repeated security challenges from cross-border attacks.
Strained Relations Since October
Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan deteriorated following border clashes in October. Efforts by Turkey, Qatar, and the UAE to broker reconciliation have so far failed. Pakistan has repeatedly demanded written assurances from the Taliban to curb TTP activity, but the Afghan government has not formally agreed, keeping the dialogue process delicate.
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