Pak Pursuing ‘Regional Destabilisation Project’ On Behalf Of Major Powers, Says Taliban

Hashemi said that in this period, more than 3.05 million tons of goods were exported from Iran to Afghanistan, of which over 1.03 million tons passed through South Khorasan and the Mahiroud border crossing.

He added that the total value of exports to Afghanistan reached $1.15 billion, with goods worth more than $350 million exported via Mahiroud.

Hashemi noted that some goods imported from Afghanistan are items Iran needs but does not produce domestically, calling this a sign of “balance and deepening trade relations” between the two countries.

According to the Tehran Times, trade between Iran and Afghanistan increased by nearly 84 percent in 2024 compared with the previous year, reaching $3.19 billion.

By the end of July, the total value of goods transited through the Dogharoon customs terminal to Afghanistan had reached $1.6 billion, according to official figures.

Speaking at an online press conference, Mujahid claimed that these groups are “creating pretexts to push relations toward tension” and are trying to blame Afghanistan’s Taliban for Pakistan’s internal problems, instability, and attacks carried out by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

He described the TTP issue as an “old problem” unrelated to the Taliban in Kabul. Mujahid said the TTP emerged in 2002 following US drone strikes and bombings in Pakistan’s tribal areas, which he alleged were conducted with Islamabad’s consent.

According to Mujahid, the Taliban delegation in Istanbul presented evidence of multiple Pakistani military operations against the TTP that “displaced hundreds of thousands of people from the tribal regions, some of whom later came to Afghanistan.”

Earlier, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the talks had reached a “complete deadlock” and that no further rounds were currently planned.

Asif added that the Taliban delegation had sought verbal assurances during the talks but refused to formalise any agreements. He emphasised that all international negotiations must be concluded through written agreements.

Before the press conference, Mujahid had already confirmed the failure of the Istanbul talks. In a post on X earlier on Saturday, he wrote that the negotiations “produced no results.” He reiterated that the Taliban “will not allow anyone to use Afghan territory against another country.”

Mujahid also accused Pakistan of attempting to place “all security responsibilities on the Taliban while showing no willingness to assume responsibility for Afghanistan’s security or even its own.”

The third round of Taliban–Pakistan talks began on Thursday, November 6, in Istanbul. The first round, held in Doha, resulted in an immediate ceasefire, while the second round, also held in Istanbul, ended without progress.

He urged Pakistan to learn from the experiences of the United States and Russia in Afghanistan.

In remarks directed at Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Noori said: “Do you believe that the old and the young will line up behind you?”

Noori argued that, unlike the United States and Russia, Pakistan does not enjoy geographical distance from Afghanistan, saying “the two sides are connected in Punjab and Sindh.”

His comments suggest that the Taliban consider the areas stretching from Peshawar to Attock as historically part of Afghan territory.

He warned Pakistan not to be “arrogant” about its military strength or “test the patience” of what he described as Afghanistan’s “brave nation.”

The remarks come as Taliban and Pakistani delegations hold a new round of negotiations in Istanbul, mediated by Türkiye and Qatar.

Asif had earlier warned that if the Istanbul talks fail, Islamabad may enter direct confrontation with the Taliban.

Noorullah Noori was among several senior Taliban figures arrested in Pakistan after the collapse of the group’s first regime and later transferred to the US detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.

Speaking to reporters in the capital, he said Pakistan wants the ongoing talks in Istanbul to produce a formal, documented accord.

He added that, under such an agreement, Qatar and Türkiye would serve as guarantor states in the event of any violations.

Asif’s comments came as the third round of Taliban–Pakistan negotiations continued behind closed doors at Istanbul’s Conrad Hotel. The talks, mediated by Türkiye and Qatar, are being held under tight restrictions, with media barred from the venue.

The minister said continued dialogue between Pakistan and the Taliban was essential because “peace is a basic regional necessity.”

He said that peace and trade are vital for the region, and we they are working toward that.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said it has shared documents and evidence with mediators regarding the alleged use of Afghan territory by armed groups. Meanwhile, sources within the Taliban Foreign Ministry told Afghanistan International that the Taliban delegation has also submitted its list of demands to the mediators.

The first round of talks, led by the defence ministers of both sides in Doha, resulted in an immediate ceasefire agreement. The second round, held at a mid-level format in Istanbul, ended without progress. Senior delegations led by both countries’ intelligence chiefs are now taking part in the third round.

In a statement, the ministry said the situation was swiftly brought under control and that the ceasefire between the two sides remains in effect.

Earlier, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accused Pakistani forces of firing on Taliban border units in Spin Boldak, Kandahar, while negotiations were under way in Istanbul. Mujahid said Taliban fighters refrained from returning fire “out of respect for our negotiating team and to prevent civilian casualties.”

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said Islamabad remains committed to ongoing talks and expects Taliban officials to take a similar approach.

The incident marks the first exchange of fire since last month’s ceasefire agreement in Doha. During four days of talks in Istanbul, both sides agreed to extend the truce, but Islamabad has warned it will take stronger action if the Taliban fail to curb cross-border militant attacks originating from Afghan territory.