ISLAMABAD: Marking another significant diplomatic milestone, Pakistan’s steadfast stance has been vindicated as the Afghan Taliban, through an implicit acknowledgment, assured that Afghan territory will not be used as a base for actions hostile to Pakistan.
“It has been decided that neither country will undertake any hostile action against the other, nor will they support groups carrying out attacks against the Government of Pakistan,” stated an official press release issued by Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid on his X account.
“Both sides will refrain from targeting each other’s security forces, civilians, or critical infrastructure. In the future, a mechanism will be established, under the mediation of intermediary countries, to review bilateral claims and ensure the effective implementation of this agreement,” the press release further stated, following the mutual agreement on a ceasefire at the conclusion of the Doha Talks.
Security experts believe this message is perceived as a confession by the Afghan Taliban that Afghan territory had been used against Pakistan, and that Afghanistan’s leadership could not provide substantial evidence of the presence of terrorist groups within Pakistan’s territory.
Zabihullah Mujahid further stated that negotiations between representatives of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, held in Qatar, concluded with the signing of a bilateral agreement.
“Both sides are committed to resolving issues and disputes through dialogue. A comprehensive and meaningful ceasefire has been mutually agreed upon.”
“We wish to express our profound appreciation to the brotherly nations of Qatar and Turkey for their instrumental role in facilitating the negotiations that led to this agreement,” the statement added, noting that “under the terms of the agreement, both sides reaffirm their commitment to peace, mutual respect, and the maintenance of strong and constructive neighborly relations.”
The press release issued by the Afghan Taliban following the Doha Talks and the agreement is seen as an acknowledgment that Pakistan’s comprehensive strategy—combining military operations, border controls, and the repatriation of refugees—has clearly unsettled the Taliban regime.
Experts closely observing long-standing Pakistan-Afghanistan issues say that by agreeing, in the presence of third-party mediators, not to support anti-Pakistan groups, the Taliban have effectively admitted their involvement.
They note that while the Taliban often accuse Pakistan of backing Daesh, neither the statement from Qatar nor that of the Taliban government mentions this allegation, suggesting that such claims were merely an attempt to divert pressure.
It is expected that a new framework will be established to implement the Doha agreement, with Qatar and Turkey serving as guarantors.
This development marks another diplomatic success for Pakistan, as the Taliban can no longer remain in denial. Ultimately, Pakistan has succeeded in getting the Taliban to recognize that the TTP remains the main obstacle in their bilateral relations.
