Islamabad (TDI): In the backdrop of Pakistan’s repeated concerns about militants using Afghan territory for cross-border attacks, more than a thousand Afghan religious scholars have issued a new resolution aimed at discouraging fighters from operating outside the country.
The document, adopted by prominent clerics, states that Afghanistan’s soil must not be used to harm any neighbouring country. It also stresses that if anyone violates this principle, the “Islamic Emirate has the authority to take appropriate action”. According to the resolution, Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has never authorised Afghan nationals to travel abroad for military activities, and anyone doing so should be stopped.
Pakistan welcomed the step but maintained a cautious stance, citing the Taliban’s previous unfulfilled assurances. The Foreign Office described the development as positive, yet reiterated Islamabad’s demand for formal written guarantees that Afghan territory will not be used against Pakistan.
Although analysts have noted the significance of the clerics’ move, the resolution has no official legal standing, nor is it endorsed by the Taliban government. It also does not directly mention Pakistan. Still, it clearly states that anyone attempting armed action outside Afghanistan would be treated as a rebel against the state and punished for violating the directives of the emir. How such punishment would be implemented remains an open question.
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The declaration comes at a time when Islamabad is pressing Kabul to rein in groups like the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Pakistan accuses of orchestrating attacks across the border. Pakistani officials have repeatedly asked Kabul to issue a decree directly from Akhundzada banning such activities, a request conveyed again during rounds of talks held in Qatar, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia. Afghan officials, however, reportedly advised Pakistan to approach Afghan scholars for this ruling.
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The Foreign Office, while acknowledging the move, questioned how it would be enforced without official backing. FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi reminded that earlier commitments made by the Afghan Taliban had not been honoured, which is why Pakistan continues to insist on written assurances.
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, addressing the clerics’ meeting, said the interim government reserves the right to stop anyone from using Afghan soil for militant activity. He said the ulema support action against violators and that all Muslims in Afghanistan are required to abide by the resolution.
