Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said messages with Pakistan continued through mediating countries, while accusing Islamabad of obstructing a peaceful settlement. His October 31 radio interview followed unsuccessful diplomatic efforts over security and cross-border armed activity. Pakistan demands action against groups it says operate from Afghanistan; the Taliban denies providing support.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on October 31 that messages continued between Kabul and Islamabad through several mediating countries. In an interview with a Taliban-linked radio station, he said diplomatic efforts had not eased tensions and accused Pakistan of being unprepared for peaceful negotiations. He did not identify the countries involved or describe the messages and proposed steps.[1], [2]
Mujahid denied that the Taliban had initiated the tensions and characterized its actions in recent clashes as defensive. Pakistan accuses Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, the Pakistani armed movement, of using Afghan territory to organize attacks. Islamabad demands action against those networks. The Taliban denies providing shelter or support and says insecurity in Pakistan is an internal issue.[1]
Qatar and Türkiye facilitated talks in Doha in October 2025 that reached a ceasefire. Later negotiations in Istanbul did not secure a lasting settlement. Saudi Arabia has also joined diplomatic efforts, and Mujahid welcomed its involvement in September. Pakistan’s foreign ministry blamed the Taliban’s position for earlier failures in an October 23 statement. A durable agreement addressing their central security differences remains unannounced.[1]
