In a sharp escalation of tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Afghan Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani has accused Islamabad of “exporting its internal conflicts” across the Durand Line, signalling a worsening diplomatic breakdown following weeks of deadly border clashes and failed peace efforts.
According to an NDTV report, speaking at the closing session of a Firefighting Directorate seminar on Thursday, Haqqani declared, “The people of Afghanistan may have internal problems, but they are united against foreign aggression.” He warned Pakistan that “if you bring your problems into Afghanistan and create turmoil here, this mistake will cost you dearly.”
The remarks come amid intensifying skirmishes between Taliban and Pakistani forces that have left multiple casualties on both sides. Attempts at de-escalation — including peace talks in Istanbul mediated by Turkish officials — reportedly collapsed earlier this week due to disagreements over cross-border terrorism and US drone activity.
Haqqani, a powerful figure within the Taliban hierarchy and leader of the Haqqani Network, portrayed Afghanistan as resolute in defending its sovereignty despite limited weaponry. “We do not possess long-range missiles or powerful weapons, but our resolve and determination are strong,” he said. “If our patience is tested again, the response will be crushing.”
He also took a veiled swipe at Pakistan’s domestic instability. “We have repeatedly told the Pakistani side to resolve their problems internally,” he stated. “Every person should prioritise the benefit of their homeland; that expectation should not be placed on another country.”
Kabul’s stance has hardened as both sides trade accusations. Islamabad alleges that the Taliban are harbouring Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants who attack targets inside Pakistan, while Kabul denies the charge and insists that Islamabad is using border tensions to deflect attention from its own internal security failures.
While Haqqani reiterated Afghanistan’s desire for peace — “No one will suffer problems originating from Afghanistan because of us” — he also warned that further provocations could reshape the regional landscape. “If we approach these issues legally,” he cautioned, “neither Pakistan will remain the same Pakistan, nor will Greater Afghanistan remain faithful to its promises.”
For years before the Taliban’s 2021 return to power, Pakistan’s security establishment had sheltered the Haqqani Network’s leadership, expecting future loyalty from Kabul. That assumption, insiders say, has since been met with defiance.
Analysts believe Haqqani’s remarks mark one of the strongest public rebukes of Pakistan by a senior Taliban leader, reflecting a deepening rupture that could ignite another flashpoint in an already volatile region.
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