By Uzma Ehtasham
Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s interim interior minister, has once again placed dialogue at the center of Afghanistan’s delicate relationship with Pakistan. Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Kabul police academy, Haqqani conveyed a message that appeared carefully calibrated for international and regional audiences alike. He insisted that Afghanistan posed no threat to any state, and that the Taliban remained committed to resolving misunderstandings through negotiation rather than confrontation. According to Afghan state media, he reaffirmed his government’s adherence to the Doha agreement, reiterating that Afghan soil would not be allowed to be used against any country.
On the surface, these statements are significant. They suggest a willingness, at least rhetorically, to engage with Pakistan in a spirit of reconciliation. The Taliban have faced sustained international pressure to demonstrate that they can act as responsible stewards of Afghanistan, particularly in relation to the cross-border militancy that has long plagued Islamabad. Haqqani’s comments, made in a ceremonial setting and broadcast by state media, project an image of calm authority and measured intent. Yet beneath the carefully chosen words lies a reality far more complex, and perhaps less reassuring.
For Pakistan, the promises articulated by Kabul are not new. Since the signing of the Doha agreement, successive Taliban statements have pledged to curb militant operations, restrict extremist groups from exploiting Afghan territory, and uphold commitments to regional security. In practice, however, these assurances have often collided with the realities on the ground. Pakistan continues to report cross-border infiltration by armed groups, attacks on its security forces, and incidents of terrorism that are traced back to areas within Afghanistan. This persistent pattern has deepened suspicion in Islamabad, reinforcing the perception that promises from Kabul are sometimes more aspirational than actionable.
The context in which Haqqani delivered his remarks cannot be ignored. Bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan remain fragile, shaped by historical grievances, border tensions, and security concerns. A series of clashes along the border culminated in the temporary closure of crossings on 11 October 2025, disrupting trade and travel and highlighting the fragility of cooperation. Against this backdrop, Haqqani’s emphasis on dialogue is as much a reassurance as it is a strategic communication. By framing his message around the avoidance of threats and the opening of channels for negotiation, he signals to Pakistan and the wider region that the Taliban seek to avoid escalation.
Yet timing alone does not confer credibility. The enduring influence of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) complicates the picture. The TTP has pledged allegiance to Sirajuddin Haqqani and operates from areas under Taliban control, raising legitimate questions about the extent to which the Afghan leadership can or will exercise authority over these groups. For Islamabad, the concern is straightforward: rhetoric without enforcement does little to prevent attacks on Pakistani soil. Repeated requests for written guarantees and concrete measures have gone largely unmet, leaving Pakistan to navigate a precarious security environment along a 2,600-kilometre porous border.
This dynamic has propelled regional mediation efforts, with Turkey and the United Arab Emirates stepping in to facilitate dialogue. Pakistani officials have engaged with Taliban representatives, including Haqqani’s younger brother, Anas, in Qatar and Turkey, seeking assurances and practical commitments to rein in the TTP. While these diplomatic channels demonstrate an ongoing willingness to engage, they have yet to produce breakthroughs. The deadlock underscores a fundamental tension: Haqqani’s words may reflect genuine intent, but the structural and political challenges within Afghanistan complicate their translation into concrete security outcomes.
Haqqani’s choice of venue and occasion for these remarks also warrants attention. A graduation ceremony at a police academy is a symbolic setting, emphasizing law, order, and institutional legitimacy. By linking his message to an event celebrating the training of law enforcement officers, Haqqani reinforces the narrative that the Taliban are governing responsibly and that their security apparatus is capable of maintaining control. Yet symbolism must be weighed against empirical evidence. The persistence of militant activity in border regions, alongside Pakistan’s continuing security concerns, creates a tension between perception and reality that neither side can easily reconcile.
The editorial question, then, is one of accountability. Can conciliatory rhetoric genuinely alter the behavior of armed groups? Can Pakistan trust assurances from Kabul when past experience has often fallen short of guarantees? These questions are not merely theoretical; they carry implications for regional stability, cross-border cooperation, and the broader fight against terrorism. The international community watches closely, recognizing that Pakistan and Afghanistan share not only a long and complex border but also intertwined security and economic interests. Failure to establish trust could deepen instability, while genuine engagement offers a pathway, however narrow, to sustained dialogue.
(The writer is a public health professional, journalist, and possesses expertise in health communication, having keen interest in national and international affairs, can be reached at uzma@metro-morning.com)
