Pakistan rejects Taliban spokesman’s remarks, cites evidence of cross-border militancy

ISLAMABAD (RNN TV) — Pakistan on Tuesday strongly rejected remarks by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, who had termed a recent statement by the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) “irresponsible”, saying the criticism amounted to an attempt to deflect attention from ground realities in the region.

Security and government sources said the Taliban spokesman’s comments reflected a pattern of denial and misinformation, recalling past instances in which misleading and fabricated material was circulated during periods of tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The response followed a briefing by the DG ISPR, in which Pakistan presented what it described as “verifiable evidence” of cross-border terrorism originating from Afghan soil. According to the military spokesperson, the issue was not limited to Pakistan alone, noting that several neighbouring countries had also raised concerns about militant groups operating from within Afghanistan.

“These are not allegations but documented facts,” a senior official said, adding that regional and international reports have repeatedly pointed to the presence of multiple militant organisations enjoying safe havens across the border.

Pakistani officials maintained that the international community increasingly views Afghanistan not merely as a victim of terrorism but as a source of regional instability due to the continued activities of banned outfits. In this context, Islamabad termed Kabul’s criticism “misplaced” and urged the Taliban authorities to focus on their own responsibilities.

The officials stressed that Pakistan expected the Afghan interim government to take concrete steps to prevent the use of its territory for attacks against neighbouring states and to honour its commitments under the Doha Agreement.

Warning against the consequences of continued denial, the sources said prolonged non-compliance and what they described as “dual policies” could further isolate Afghanistan internationally. “Lectures on responsibility will carry weight only when accompanied by credible action on the ground,” one official remarked.

Pakistan reiterated that it sought peaceful and stable relations with Afghanistan but said this would remain difficult without tangible measures to curb cross-border militancy and address the concerns of the wider region.