Senior Afghan Taliban leader on Wednesday has cautioned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) factions- also referred to as Khawarij – to refrain from violent activities in Pakistan without explicit permission from the Islamic Emirate.
Saeedullah Saeed, a prominent Taliban official, stated during a police passing-out ceremony that only the Amir (supreme leader) of an Islamic state has the authority to declare jihad, not any individual or group acting on their own initiative.
“Fighting in any country, including Pakistan, without the command of the Amir is against Shariah and considered fasad (corruption), not legitimate jihad,” Saeed stated.
He went on to say that individuals who conduct cross-border activities out of personal or group loyalty are opposing both Islamic values and the Afghan leadership’s authority.
He declared, “Being a member of various groups and conducting jihad overseas does not make one a true mujahid.” “Rather than being motivated by religious obligation, such acts stem from ego and factionalism.”
The commander further emphasized that any unlawful movement across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border is forbidden by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, and that doing so would be considered a breach of the Emirate’s leadership.
Saeed’s comments coincide with escalating worries about cross-border militancy and a rise in attacks within Pakistan, many of which have been attributed to organizations connected to the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which is outlawed and whose factions are thought to operate from Afghanistan.
Security analysts in Pakistan have welcomed the statement, viewing it as a potential step towards curbing militant activities along the porous border.
According to experts, the Taliban’s official position supports Pakistan’s counterterrorism narrative, especially when it comes to drawing a line between terrorism masquerading as jihad and legitimate resistance.
