Durand Line Not Discussed In Deal With Pakistan, Says Taliban Defence Minister
The Taliban’s defence minister said on Sunday that the Durand Line was not discussed during the recent agreement between the Taliban and Pakistan.
The Taliban’s defence minister said on Sunday that the Durand Line was not discussed during the recent agreement between the Taliban and Pakistan.
Speaking at an online press conference from Doha, Mullah Yaqub Mujahid referred to the Durand Line as an “imaginary border,” stressing that the issue “belongs to the nations.”
His remarks appeared aimed at addressing speculation among political observers over a clause in the agreement referring to “respect for each other’s territorial integrity.” Mujahid said the Taliban would not allow any party to violate Afghanistan’s sovereignty or threaten its security.
He described the talks with Pakistan as “successful,” saying both sides had agreed not to support opposition groups or engage in hostile acts against each other. He added that both countries pledged to prevent their soil from being used against the other and that neither would intervene if the other came under attack.
According to Mujahid, the negotiations lasted about twelve hours, after which both sides agreed to mutual respect, non-aggression, and the establishment of a “complete and lasting ceasefire.”
He said a technical committee, under the supervision of Qatar and Türkiye, would be created to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire and to strengthen political and economic ties.
Mujahid also said the Afghan public had supported the Taliban during their conflict with Pakistan, asserting that “the people stood with us.”
Addressing foreign relations, Mujahid said the Taliban seeks “strong and friendly” ties with both India and Pakistan and warned that no country has the right to dictate Afghanistan’s foreign policy.
“We want relations based on mutual respect with India while maintaining good relations with Pakistan,” he said. “Our ties with India are not against Pakistan, and our ties with Pakistan are not at the expense of India.”
The agreement between the Taliban and Pakistan was reached on Saturday night in Doha with mediation from Qatar and Türkiye.
Earlier, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed the ceasefire deal, saying it would immediately halt cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan and that both neighbours had agreed to respect each other’s territorial integrity.
