Islamabad – Former United States envoy to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, has once again stirred debate with a statement accusing Pakistan of conducting failed strikes in Kabul, allegations Islamabad denies and Afghan authorities have not substantiated.

On Saturday, in a post on X, Khalilzad claimed that Pakistan’s “attack against the capital of Afghanistan appears to have been a failure,” suggesting the targeted individual was not in Kabul. He further warned of rising tensions between the two countries and urged diplomacy to prevent wider conflict.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office, however, stated that it had “seen reports of explosions in Kabul” and had “no further details,” denying any involvement in the incident. The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, too, has not provided verifiable evidence of Pakistani strikes, calling them instead “explosions under investigation.”

Old Grievances Resurface

Khalilzad’s criticism follows a long history of friction with Pakistan. Analysts note that his recent comments align with a pattern of attributing Afghanistan’s internal challenges to Islamabad, a stance seen by some as an attempt to deflect responsibility from his own role in shaping post-war Afghanistan.

His recent visit to Taliban-controlled Kabul reportedly revived old resentments within Afghan factions, particularly those opposed to Pakistan’s role in regional security.

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The Doha Legacy

As the chief negotiator of the 2020 Doha Agreement between the United States and the Taliban, Zalmay Khalilzad played a pivotal role in the process that ended America’s longest war. The deal facilitated the US withdrawal but also paved the way for the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021.

Critics of the agreement have described it as a “hasty exit plan” that weakened Afghanistan’s security forces and accelerated the country’s collapse. More than 700,000 Afghans were displaced following the Taliban’s takeover, while regional militancy, including cross-border attacks into Pakistan, rose sharply in the years that followed.

Several former members of the Afghan government have since accused Khalilzad of “cheating” on the Afghan peace plan, alleging that his negotiations led to a chaotic US withdrawal rather than a sustainable political settlement.

Also see: Khalilzad Urges Pakistan to Negotiate With TTP, Reviving Debate Over Failed Peace Deals

Regional Dynamics

Pakistan has repeatedly expressed concern over the presence of groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) inside Afghanistan, a trend Islamabad says has intensified since 2021.

Security observers argue that Khalilzad’s remarks overlook these developments, particularly the challenges Pakistan faces in countering cross-border militancy originating from Afghan soil.

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Disinformation and Regional Fallout

Officials in Islamabad warn that speculative statements by influential figures can aggravate tensions between the two neighbours at a time when both sides need to prioritise dialogue and border stability.

“Unverified claims and public speculation risk misinterpretation and escalation,” said a Pakistani security source familiar with the matter.

Pakistan continues to face the fallout of cross-border terrorism, with security forces conducting operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan against TTP and ISKP-linked militants.

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While Afghan authorities have condemned what they termed “violations of airspace,” both governments have stopped short of confirming any official military engagement. Islamabad has reiterated that its operations are confined within national borders and are solely aimed at countering terrorism, not escalating regional tensions.

Diplomatic observers in Islamabad stress that speculation by individuals like Khalilzad risks undermining delicate regional stability at a time when coordination, not confrontation, is needed. Pakistan, they note, continues to advocate for dialogue, intelligence sharing, and joint counterterrorism efforts to prevent cross-border militancy emanating from Afghan soil.

Officials in Islamabad maintain that Pakistan’s fight against terrorism, rooted in decades of sacrifice and international cooperation, cannot be discredited by unverified claims or political point-scoring. The focus, they argue, should remain on dismantling terrorist safe havens and ensuring Afghanistan fulfills its commitment not to allow its territory to be used against any neighbour.