Taliban Interior Minister Welcomes Pakistan’s New Stance on Afghanistan
Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s Interior Minister, has welcomed recent statements by some Pakistani religious scholars and remarks by Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, regarding Afghanistan. He described these comments as a step towards reducing tensions.
Speaking at a meeting in Kabul, Haqqani expressed the Taliban administration’s appreciation for any efforts or statements aimed at resolving issues between Afghanistan and Pakistan. He specifically referred to the remarks made by Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Taqi Usmani at the Pakistani religious scholars’ gathering, as well as Ishaq Dar’s “well-intentioned” words, viewing them as signals of willingness to engage in dialogue and improve relations.
The Taliban Interior Minister stressed that Afghanistan poses no threat to any country and added that Afghans have no intention of harming others. He claimed that ensuring security within Afghanistan could pave the way for a message of peace and brotherhood to the region and the world.
Haqqani also called on regional and international countries to participate in Afghanistan’s reconstruction and urged Afghan citizens to cooperate with the Taliban administration in this process. Referring to the suffering caused by decades of war and destruction, he described rebuilding the country as an urgent necessity.
These remarks come amid the same Pakistani religious scholars’ meeting, where criticisms were made about violations of Afghanistan’s sovereignty by Pakistan. The religious leaders called for resolving disputes through dialogue. Ishaq Dar also stated that Islamabad has good intentions and seeks to prevent the use of Afghan territory against Pakistan.
However, critics argue that ongoing border tensions, unclear security policies, and a lack of transparency in the Taliban’s governance have challenged mutual trust. They contend that diplomatic statements alone, without concrete actions, cannot sustainably resolve the existing concerns.
