Taliban have reacted to Khawaja Asif’s comments by labeling Pakistan as a ‘sanctuary for ISIS’

The Taliban responded on Saturday to recent comments made by Pakistan’s defense minister, Khawaja Asif, who accused Islamabad of backing the Islamic State and other extremist factions.

Hamdullah Fitrat, the Taliban’s deputy spokesperson, stated in an audio message, “ISIS operates within Pakistani territory. It appears that ISIS and certain other groups may have been allowed to function with the support of the Pakistani government.”

Fitrat’s remarks came after Mr. Asif posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, referencing a recent United Nations report that identified over two dozen terrorist organizations, including Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Al Qaeda, the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), as active in Afghanistan.

Mr. Asif noted that Afghanistan “remained the hub for ISKP’s recruitment and facilitation in 2024,” highlighting concerns regarding the regional affiliate of ISIS, which has raised alarms among neighboring countries.

The presence of militant organizations in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan has consistently been a topic of concern in regional security discussions. Nations such as Russia, Iran, and China—considered allies or diplomatic partners of the Taliban—have repeatedly urged the group to ensure that Afghan territory is not utilized for activities that threaten their security.

During the Moscow Format meeting on Afghanistan last year, regional powers emphasized the importance of the Taliban meeting their international responsibilities to prevent terrorist activities originating from Afghan soil.

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated, with both nations accusing each other of sheltering militants responsible for cross-border violence. While the Taliban refute claims of providing refuge to groups like the TTP, experts assert that resolving these mutual accusations is essential for tackling the broader security issues in the region.