Sources told Zawia News the statement was edited by a Pakistani delegation, with discussions over specific wording. The main disagreement reportedly centred on whether to use the term “protest letter” or “demarche”, with the latter ultimately included.
A source within the Taliban foreign ministry said a “protest note” in diplomatic practice signals strong dissatisfaction with another country’s actions, while a “demarche” is typically used to express a difference of opinion. As a result, issues such as the bombardment of Kunar and the university incident were framed as matters of disagreement rather than formal protest.
Pakistan has shelled Kunar province for the past two days, with civilian casualties reported. Sources say at least 70 people were injured at Sayed Jamaluddin Afghani University alone.
Following the attacks, the Taliban summoned Pakistan’s ambassador in coordination with the embassy, according to sources.
They added that the Pakistani embassy had requested that no photos or videos of the meeting be released. Official Taliban foreign ministry social media accounts show no images from the meeting.
However, shortly afterwards, images were published of a meeting between Amir Khan Muttaqi, Taliban’s foreign minister, and Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s special envoy for Afghanistan.
The Taliban has not yet responded militarily to the Pakistani strikes. On Tuesday, the group’s higher education minister said the lack of response should not be seen as weakness, adding that action would be taken according to circumstances.
Relations between the Taliban and Pakistan remain strained. The Taliban had earlier expressed optimism about the Urumqi talks, describing them as “positive”, but cross-border attacks have continued since.
China hosted talks between Pakistani and Taliban delegations in the city of Urumqi from April 1- 7.