Islamabad/Kabul – Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan resurfaced this week as the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Zabihullah Mujahid, urged Pakistan to avoid “accusations and the use of force,” stressing that such approaches were not in the interest of either side.
Speaking to Pakistani analyst Imtiaz Gul in an interview released by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), Mujahid said Afghanistan sought to maintain “brotherly relations” with Islamabad and resolve disputes through dialogue.
“It is not in the interest of either side to accuse one another, resort to force, or create an environment that makes solving problems more difficult,” Mujahid said. He insisted Kabul wanted stability in relations and had no desire to see insecurity spread across the border.
Pakistan Draws Red Lines
The Taliban spokesman’s remarks came as Pakistan’s Defense Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, bluntly described Afghanistan as a “hostile country” in a televised interview with Geo News. His comments reflected Islamabad’s growing frustration over what officials describe as Kabul’s failure to curb the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group responsible for dozens of deadly attacks in recent years.
Pakistani officials argue that TTP fighters operate freely from Afghan soil despite repeated assurances from Kabul. Islamabad has made clear that it considers the group’s presence across the border a red line for bilateral relations.
Mujahid’s Response
When asked by Gul whether he acknowledged Pakistan’s concerns, Mujahid avoided direct criticism of the TTP but maintained that disputes should be addressed through existing mechanisms. He pointed to the joint coordination committees formed by the two countries to manage issues ranging from security to trade and refugee movements.
“These committees are there to take cognizance of the problems that arise from time to time,” Mujahid said. However, observers note that the mechanisms have largely failed to deliver tangible results, with trust between the two capitals deteriorating since the Taliban’s return to power in Kabul four years ago.
On September 20, 2025, after Khawaja Asif’s remarks, Mujahid again reiterated Kabul’s position via the Islamic Emirate’s Urdu X handle. He said Afghanistan had a “clear and unified stance for building and strengthening trust” with Pakistan, and that finding reasonable solutions to bilateral issues could increase mutual confidence. However, he warned that statements by some senior Pakistani officials “damage the process of trust-building.” Mujahid further claimed that fighting between Pakistani Taliban and Pakistan’s military was “not new,” dating back to 2003, and insisted the TTP issue was “purely Pakistan’s internal matter” that should not affect bilateral relations.
Humanitarian and Cultural Ties
Despite the heated rhetoric, both sides continue to invoke shared cultural, religious, and historical ties. Mujahid emphasized that Afghanistan wanted relations with Pakistan framed in brotherhood rather than hostility.
Pakistani leaders have echoed similar sentiments, with officials in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa highlighting cross-border tribal linkages and the potential role of traditional jirgas in conflict resolution. Information Adviser Barrister Dr. Saif recently told Afghan Ambassador Sardar Ahmad Shakib that peace in both countries was “inextricably linked,” calling for strengthened people-to-people and trade relations.
The Broader Context
The latest exchange highlights the paradox facing both governments; deep interdependence paired with mounting mistrust. Pakistan hosts millions of Afghan refugees, remains a major trade partner, and provides critical transit for Afghan goods. At the same time, attacks on Pakistani security forces, which Islamabad attributes to TTP sanctuaries in Afghanistan, have hardened public and political opinion against Kabul.
For Afghanistan, accusations of harboring militants strike at the Taliban’s desire for international legitimacy. Kabul insists it does not allow its soil to be used against others, but Western and regional intelligence assessments repeatedly suggest otherwise.
Analysts Weigh In
Regional analysts warn that the cycle of accusations risks undermining fragile stability. “Afghanistan wants recognition, Pakistan wants security. Unless both sides create verifiable mechanisms, mistrust will deepen,” said one Islamabad-based researcher.
During the CRSS interview, Pakistani analyst Imtiaz Gul directly confronted Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid with the issue at the core of Pakistan’s frustration.
“I asked him that the relationship between the two countries has not probably been as bad as it exists today. There is much greater mistrust between the two, and in Pakistan it is said that because of the TTP, things have really gone from bad to worse. Pakistan seems to have drawn a red line as far as the TTP presence in Afghanistan is concerned, and the freedom that is reportedly available to it inside Afghanistan is the reason for the deterioration of the situation. I asked whether he would agree with this,” Gul said.
Mujahid, however, avoided directly acknowledging Pakistan’s concerns about the TTP, instead urging that disputes be addressed in an atmosphere of brotherhood and through established joint committees.
Pakistan’s Position
Islamabad continues to push for tangible action. Officials argue that while dialogue is welcome, peace requires Kabul to act against militants targeting Pakistan. Defense Minister Asif’s characterization of Afghanistan as “hostile” reflects not just frustration but also a domestic consensus that the situation has reached a breaking point.
At the same time, Pakistan insists it does not seek confrontation with its neighbor. Senior officials have emphasized that border security and counter-terrorism are shared responsibilities, and that cooperation could prevent further deterioration. They have stressed that Pakistan has always respected Afghanistan’s sovereignty and sought peace, but allowing cross-border militant groups to operate from Afghan soil is unacceptable.
Claiming the problem dates back to 2003, they argued, ignores the core issue. Today’s attacks are being launched from Afghan territory by the TTP and allied groups.
Islamabad maintains there has been no Pakistani interference to undermine trust; rather, it is Kabul’s failure to take decisive action against terrorists that has damaged relations. Officials further rejected the notion that the TTP issue is purely Pakistan’s internal matter, noting that when militants use Afghan territory to target Pakistani civilians and soldiers, it becomes a bilateral security concern. They urged Afghanistan to stop offering excuses and instead ensure its soil is not used as a safe haven for terrorists, as that is the only path to genuine peace and trust.
Mujahid’s call for dialogue and brotherhood reflects Kabul’s attempt to ease tensions, while Pakistan’s sharp warnings highlight the depth of mistrust over the TTP issue. Both governments acknowledge that peace and stability are interlinked, yet the gap between words and action continues to widen.
For now, Islamabad is signaling patience but also resolve. Without action against militants, rhetoric alone will not restore trust. Whether Afghanistan is prepared to deliver on its assurances remains the central question shaping the future of this troubled relationship.
