Taliban Spokesman Says Call for Ceasefire Extension Directed Mainly at Pakistan
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Taliban administration, responded to requests from religious scholars in Afghanistan and Pakistan for an extension of the ceasefire until Eid al-Adha, stating that this message is primarily aimed at Pakistan and that the Taliban have not initiated the conflict. He emphasized that his administration sees itself in a defensive position and, according to him, there has been no “invasion” of Pakistani territory.
Afghanistan’s state television, which operates under Taliban control, broadcast a voice message from Mujahid on Wednesday, March 24. In this message, he said that defending the people is their responsibility and claimed that the clashes were not started by the Taliban.
These remarks come after a joint letter from a number of Afghan and Pakistani religious scholars on Tuesday called for extending the ceasefire between the two sides until Eid al-Adha (June 6). They urged Kabul and Islamabad to prioritize dialogue and negotiation for peace instead of escalating tensions.
The ceasefire between the Taliban and Pakistan, established through mediation by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar, ended at midnight on Monday, March 23. The end of the ceasefire has raised concerns about the potential spread of clashes along the border.
During the Eid days, the Taliban administration accused Pakistan of violating the ceasefire. At the same time, some residents of Nuristan and Kunar provinces reported that Pakistani forces targeted parts of the border areas with rocket attacks even during the ceasefire, resulting in civilian casualties according to them.
Meanwhile, the absence of a transparent and reliable mechanism to monitor the ceasefire and address claims from both sides has again raised questions about how border tensions are managed and who is responsible for protecting civilians in these regions.
