The Taliban has rejected Pakistan’s allegations that terrorist groups are operating from Afghan territory, saying Islamabad should address its own security challenges rather than blaming Afghanistan’s rulers.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had earlier urged member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to press the Taliban to honour their counterterrorism commitments and dismantle the alleged safe havens of militant groups in Afghanistan.
Dar described cross-border terrorism originating from Afghanistan as one of Pakistan’s most serious security concerns.
Responding to the remarks on Friday, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the Taliban remained committed to ensuring that Afghan territory would not be used to threaten any other country.
He again denied the presence of terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan.
Mujahid argued that Pakistan’s security challenges predated the Taliban’s return to power and were not linked to the current Afghan administration.
The Taliban has repeatedly rejected Islamabad’s claims that armed groups are active inside Afghanistan, maintaining that it does not permit Afghan territory to be used against any country.
However, international organisations have published multiple reports stating that militant groups continue to operate in Afghanistan.