Afghanistan ready for talks with Pakistan, says Taliban’s Haqqani

KABUL: As a message of reconciliation for Pakistan, Afghanistan’s acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani has said that his country poses no threat to any state and that Kabul is ready to clear up misunderstandings (with Pakistan).

Addressing the graduation ceremony of the Kabul Police Academy, Haqqani announced that the doors for dialogue remain open.

He stated that his government continues to honour the commitments made under the Doha Agreement and that Afghan soil is not being allowed to be used against any country, according to reports from official Taliban media.

However, despite past assurances and pledges under the Doha Agreement, cross-border infiltrations and militant attacks in Pakistan continue.

Sirajuddin Haqqani emphasised that Afghanistan does not pose a threat to any country or region, and the Taliban leadership is seeking reasonable and long-term solutions to overcome distrust and misunderstandings with the international community. He added that the doors for negotiations remain open to resolve current issues.

Although Haqqani did not mention Pakistan by name, his remarks appeared to refer to Pakistan’s long-standing demand that Kabul rein in the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Relations between the two neighbouring countries have been strained after border clashes, leading to border closures since 11 October 2025.

Efforts by Turkey and the United Arab Emirates to mediate between the two sides have also failed, while Pakistan alleges that Afghanistan refused to provide written assurances to control the TTP, whose fighters have reportedly carried out attacks in Pakistan via the 2,600-kilometre unsecured border.

Haqqani’s statements are significant because the TTP has pledged allegiance to him and has long been active from areas under Taliban control in Afghanistan.

His younger brother, Anas Haqqani, was part of the Afghan Taliban team that conducted negotiations with Pakistani authorities in Qatar and Turkey.