Afghanistan’s Defence Minister, Mullah Mohammed Yaqoob, son of Taliban founder Mullah Omar, has directly criticized Pakistan, asserting that Pakistan’s military bears responsibility for preventing terrorist attacks within its borders. He refuted accusations that Afghanistan is sheltering terrorists, suggesting instead that Pakistan’s internal security is weak.
In an interview with the BBC, the Defence Minister dismissed Pakistan’s claims about harboring or supporting terrorists who target Pakistan. He pointed out that Pakistan’s security forces have been unable to control armed groups such as the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).
Mullah Mohammed Yaqoob stated that if TTP and BLA militants originate from Afghanistan and then carry out attacks in Pakistan, it exposes the failures of Pakistan’s security apparatus. He maintained that the issue is a failing of Pakistan, not Afghanistan.
In August, Pakistan urged the United States to repurchase military equipment left behind in Afghanistan following the withdrawal in 2021, warning that these weapons are increasingly being used by militants, posing a threat to regional security. The unregulated circulation of US weaponry is considered a direct threat to Pakistan’s stability.
The cache of US weapons, valued at over USD 7 billion by the Pentagon, includes armored vehicles, advanced firearms, biometric systems, and other sensitive equipment. Many of these weapons are believed to have been seized by the Pakistani Taliban and are now used in attacks against Pakistan’s military.
