Taliban Defense Minister Says Group Ready for Possible Pakistani Incursion
Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, the Taliban’s Minister of Defense, has stated that Pakistan previously made commitments in the presence of representatives from two other countries, and that any violation or incursion by Pakistan will be met with an appropriate response from the Taliban.
In his remarks, he sought to downplay the fragile state of relations between Kabul and Islamabad, saying both sides had agreed to normalize trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, recent tensions along the border and increasing pressure on Afghan refugees in Pakistan have raised widespread concerns.
The Taliban defense minister emphasized that Afghanistan is an independent country seeking constructive relations with all nations, including Pakistan, based on its national interests. Despite this, analysts say the Taliban administration is not in a strong enough position to engage with Islamabad from a position of parity.
Regarding the deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, Mujahid said the Taliban has called in talks for a humanitarian approach toward refugees. Nonetheless, the recent mass arrests and expulsions of Afghan migrants have heightened human rights concerns in the region.
The Taliban official’s comments come as the Pakistani government has recently expelled thousands of Afghan refugees from its territory without adhering to legal or humanitarian processes. So far, the Taliban administration has taken no significant practical action to support Afghan nationals in this matter, limiting itself to issuing diplomatic statements.
