Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid.

A day after peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan failed, the Taliban government on Saturday said some elements within the Pakistani military and intelligence services were deliberately disrupting the talks process aimed at reducing border tensions. Afghanistan’s Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that these elements are trying to blame the Taliban government for Pakistan’s internal problems, insecurity and attacks carried out by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Mujahid said that Afghanistan will not allow anyone to use its territory against any other country, nor will it allow any action that undermines its sovereignty or security.

Irresponsible and uncooperative attitude of Pakistan

Addressing a press conference through video conference, he said that some elements within Pakistan’s military and intelligence services are deliberately harming the peace process. Despite the good intentions of the Islamic Emirate and the efforts of the mediators, no result was achieved due to the irresponsible and uncooperative attitude of the Pakistani delegation.

Taliban warned Pakistan

The Afghan representatives had participated in the meeting on 6 and 7 November in good faith and with due authority, and expressed the hope that Pakistan would take the matter seriously and constructively. The statement said that Pakistan showed irresponsible and uncooperative attitude, tried to put all the responsibilities related to its security on the Afghan government.

Criticizing Islamabad’s stance, the Taliban reiterated its principled position that Afghanistan will not allow its territory to be used against any other country, nor will it allow any foreign nation to violate its sovereignty and independence. The statement stressed that it is the emirate’s ‘Islamic and national duty’ to protect the people and territory of Afghanistan. Reaffirming Pakistan’s ties with the Muslim people, the Taliban said it will cooperate only within the limits of its responsibilities and capabilities.

Warning not to test the patience of Afghans

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif admitted that the third round of talks has reached an uncertain stage without any result. He said that there are no plans for the fourth round yet. Afghanistan’s Minister of Tribes, Border and Tribal Affairs Noorullah Noori warned Pakistani officials not to test the patience of Afghans and cautioned Asif not to be overly trusting of his country’s technology, adding that if conflict broke out, both the elders and youth of Afghanistan would rise up to fight.

Direct talks between TTP and Pakistan

Zabihullah Mujahid said in a press conference on Saturday that the issue between Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Pakistan has been going on for a long time, which has been going on since 2002 and did not come to the fore after the Islamic Emirate took power. He said the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan had facilitated direct talks between the TTP and Pakistan, which was largely successful, but some elements of the Pakistani army sabotaged the process.

Ceasefire implemented on Afghanistan-Pakistan border

Mujahid also said that some factions of the Pakistani army oppose a firmly established sovereign authority in Afghanistan. The Istanbul talks, aimed at reducing border tensions, have exposed Pakistan’s duplicity, deepened mistrust and increased the possibility of conflict. Despite the ceasefire being in force along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, Afghanistan suspects that Pakistan may again carry out unprovoked attacks, including drone strikes targeting civilians.