Kabul – Recent remarks by Afghanistan’s acting Minister of Energy and Water, Mullah Abdul Latif Mansoor, stirred controversy by acknowledging the presence of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the country. But he reiterated the Islamic Emirate’s stance that no group should use Afghan soil for terror attacks on other countries.

The statement by the minister, in an exclusive interview with Afghan news channel, Shamshad TV, is a rare confession by any high-ranking Taliban official on the activities of the militant group within the country.

The TTP, also commonly known as the Pakistani Taliban, is a separate yet ideologically affiliated organization having a history of conducting attacks against Pakistani security forces. Pakistan has continually accused the Taliban government of offering safe haven to the TTP, an allegation that Kabul has always refuted.

Mansoor, however, pointed out that although TTP centres exist, these were built prior to the Taliban seizing Kabul in August of 2021. He said that the Islamic Emirate has since told TTP “not to use Afghanistan’s territory against anyone,” a sentiment that was previously echoed by other Taliban spokesmen.

He further claimed that “We now understand that certain neighboring countries, especially Pakistan, do not want Afghanistan to have a strong central govt, whether it is the Taliban, the Mujahideen, or the communists, as having a self-reliant administration in Afghanistan hinders their political & economic objectives.” This statement adds a new layer of tension to already-strained bilateral relations between the two states.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office responded quickly and with restraint to the comments. Addressing a media briefing, the Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said that this would be discussed with the “Afghan side.” He said, “Pakistan has more vested interests in a stable Afghanistan than any other country,” and added that Pakistan wants a peaceful and stable neighbor.