Zabihullah Mujahid has described remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Pakistan as “one-sided”, saying the American official leaned on information from Islamabad and did not reflect the full state of Afghanistan–Pakistan ties.
Mujahid rejects cross-border attack claims
The Taliban spokesman rejected allegations that Afghan territory is being used to launch attacks against other countries, saying no country is being targeted from Afghanistan. He also argued that Pakistan had initiated the recent clashes with Afghanistan.
Mujahid said the authorities in Kabul welcomed mediation meant to ease strain with Islamabad. Pakistan has repeatedly accused those authorities of allowing Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan — the Pakistani Taliban — to operate from Afghan territory and carry out attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul has denied that Afghan soil is used against other countries.
What Rubio said at the G20
Speaking on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit, Rubio said Pakistan was concerned about attacks originating from Afghan territory and believed the authorities in Kabul had not done enough to prevent them. “We don’t want Pakistan to be targeted by terrorism,” Rubio said, adding that Washington was willing to play a productive role in easing tensions between the two neighbours.
Strain between Kabul and Islamabad
The exchange fits a wider pattern of tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan over cross-border militancy and security. Islamabad and Kabul still disagree over who bears responsibility for attacks and how talks or mediation should move forward.
Ordinary debate in both capitals now turns on whether outside facilitation can cool the dispute, and whether either side will change how it describes the other’s security record.
Aasan alfaaz mein
America ke kharija wazir Rubio ne kaha ke Pakistan ko Afghanistan se aane wale hamlon ki fikar hai. Zabihullah Mujahid ne un ki baat ko ek-tarfa qarar diya aur kaha ke Afghanistan ki zameen kisi dusre mulk ke khilaf use nahi ho rahi. Woh mediation ko khush-amdeed kehte hain, lekin kehte hain ke haal ke jhagde Pakistan ne shuru kiye. Is se dono mulkon ke darmiyan tension jari hai, khas taur par border ke ilaqon ke liye.
