Taliban Assure Pakistan Afghan Territory Won’t Be Used For Drone Attacks

Audio of his remarks, delivered to Taliban officials in the province, was published by several local media outlets on Tuesday.

Jawad said the group had anticipated the activities of opposition forces in several countries and had remained prepared to respond since taking power in Kabul.

He described the Taliban as a movement with deep roots across Afghanistan and in the wider Islamic world and said opponents and their foreign backers would not be able to undermine it.

Jawad added that the Taliban had maintained a state of readiness to confront challenges and remained prepared to act.

He said the group’s authority was not superficial but rooted in communities across the country, adding that its rule was the result of a long historical process rather than recent developments.

The official also stressed that the Taliban would defend its system of rule based on Islamic law.

His remarks come amid increased activity by opposition groups and rising tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan.

Pakistani officials have recently raised the prospect of political change in Afghanistan, while reports indicate that some opposition groups may be strengthening ties with Pakistan.

Richard Bennett said on X that any forced returns, given widespread human rights violations, risk breaching the principle of non-refoulement, especially for women, activists and former government employees.

Reports suggest the European Union will invite a Taliban delegation to Brussels in the coming weeks to discuss returning Afghan asylum seekers.

At the same time, Gilles Bertrand, the EU special envoy has visited Kabul, where the Taliban foreign ministry said he met deputy foreign minister Mohammad Naeem to discuss political, economic and trade relations, as well as long-term cooperation.

Hannah Neumann, a member of European parliament, has also strongly criticised the reported visit, saying there should be no legitimacy or deals with the Taliban and accusing EU officials of “rolling out the red carpet” for the group.

According to a statement from the Taliban foreign ministry on Wednesday, Gilles Bertrand, the EU special envoy for Afghanistan, met Mohammad Naeem, the Taliban's deputy foreign minister, to discuss political, economic and trade ties, as well as long-term cooperation.

The European Union has not yet commented on the visit.

The Taliban said both sides also discussed efforts to expand Afghan exports to European markets.

The Taliban's deputy foreign minister thanked the EU for humanitarian assistance and called for increased aid, saying directing support towards sustainable development could help address public needs and create jobs.

According to the statement, he stressed relations based on mutual respect and said dialogue and diplomacy are the best ways to resolve issues.

The ministry quoted Bertrand as saying diplomacy and dialogue are a reasonable path forward and emphasising continued cooperation with Afghanistan.

The visit comes as EU sources told AFP that a “technical” team from the Taliban is expected to travel to Brussels for talks with member states.

The EU is working on plans to return individuals without legal residence status to Afghanistan, despite concerns from human rights groups and the UN refugee agency. Bertrand also visited Kabul last year and has met Taliban officials on previous occasions. This marks his third trip to Afghanistan.

Sources told Afghanistan International that the strikes occurred at around 11:30pm local time. The Taliban have not yet commented.

Earlier, Pakistani forces also targeted the villages of Kochi, Shahbaz and Koremar in Kunar with artillery fire.

Local residents say repeated attacks have forced people in these areas to flee their homes and seek safety in more secure locations.

Similar incidents have been reported in Paktika province, where Pakistani forces have shelled areas from across the border.

Residents of border districts have repeatedly complained about rocket attacks and mortar fire by Pakistani forces.

The continued strikes have raised concerns among communities in Kunar and Paktika, with many families forced into displacement due to security threats.

Local sources warn that if such attacks persist, they could trigger a new humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan’s border area.

In an interview with Der Spiegel, Hamid Karzai stressed that people, regardless of ethnicity or ideology, should feel a sense of belonging and have both the right and responsibility to determine their country’s future.

He reiterated the importance of equal rights for all citizens in shaping Afghanistan’s future.

Asked why no organised resistance has emerged against the Taliban, Karzai said: “No one wants Afghanistan to descend into chaos again. But the Afghans certainly want girls’ education, women’s rights and a government based on the will of the people.”

Karzai acknowledged internal differences within the Taliban, saying such divisions can exist in any government. He added that Afghanistan needs economic growth, which requires inclusive participation and a stable political system.

Emphasising the need for intra-Afghan dialogue, he said the country can only progress if the Taliban and other Afghans work together to build a better future.

He also noted that the Taliban are part of Afghanistan, and that the country needs broad participation, a shared national identity and protection of citizens’ rights.

Karzai has previously voiced concern over the lack of an inclusive government and the closure of political space in Afghanistan. In this interview, he more explicitly highlighted the principle of equal citizenship, inclusive participation and the people’s right to determine the country’s future.