Latest news with #SaeedullahSaeed
India Today
a day ago
- Business
- India Today
China steps in to stabilise Pakistan-Afghanistan ties amid rising security threats
In a quiet yet decisive move, China is emerging as the most influential external player working to de-escalate tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan. As Islamabad grapples with a resurgence of cross-border attacks by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Beijing has assumed the role of mediator, urging both sides to reset their fractured relationship for the sake of regional diplomatic interventionadvertisementThe turning point came during a recent trilateral meeting of foreign ministers from China, Pakistan and Afghanistan in Beijing. More than a diplomatic formality, the meeting helped revive stalled talks and catalyse a breakthrough in relations. With vested interests in securing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and maintaining peace along its western borders, China used its influence to urge the Afghan Taliban to make tangible commitments to address Pakistan's security concerns. One of Beijing's key successes was fostering an agreement for enhanced diplomatic engagement, marked by Pakistan appointing an ambassador to Kabul for the first time since the Taliban takeover in significantly, Chinese officials reportedly conveyed a firm message to the Afghan leadership: reining in anti-Pakistan militant groups is non-negotiable if Kabul seeks continued economic and diplomatic shift: From "Jihad" to "Fasaad"advertisementIn a rare and carefully worded public statement, senior Taliban commander Saeedullah Saeed issued a warning to militant factions in the region. He stated that any act of jihad carried out without the explicit authorisation of the Amir (supreme leader) is not only illegitimate but also constitutes fasaad (corruption) under Islamic law.'Only the Amir of the state has the authority to declare jihad — not individuals or groups,' Saeed asserted, emphasising that unauthorized violence stems from ego or group loyalty rather than genuine interpret this as a direct rebuke to TTP fighters and similar groups operating from Afghan territory. It also subtly acknowledges Chinese concerns, as ongoing instability threatens Beijing's multibillion-dollar investments in South and Central China stepped in?Securing CPEC & BRI: The $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has repeatedly come under threat from militant violence. Stabilising Pakistan's western border is key to protecting China's economic Zone Strategy: Sharing a narrow border with Afghanistan, China aims to prevent the spillover of extremist ideology into its restive Xinjiang region. A stable Afghanistan, supported by Pakistan, serves as a strategic Leverage: With the U.S. and Western allies largely disengaged from Afghanistan, China sees an opportunity to fill the diplomatic vacuum and position itself as a regional payoff for PakistanFor Pakistan, China's involvement is a diplomatic asset. It provides international legitimacy in its campaign against cross-border terrorism and heightens pressure on the Taliban to crack down on TTP sanctuaries. The Taliban's recent statements and willingness to re-engage diplomatically suggest that this pressure is beginning to yield now hopes to translate these developments into concrete security outcomes — including a measurable decline in militant attacks and enhanced intelligence cooperation from InMust Watch
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Taliban disavow 'self-styled jihad' in Pakistan
Listen to article A senior Taliban commander said on Wednesday that militants who engage in combat in a foreign country without the amir's authorisation are not justified in doing so, adding that such individuals cannot be regarded as mujahideen or jihadis. This was stated by Saeedullah Saeed, a senior commander at the Hazrat Hamza Military Academy, during a graduation ceremony for 400 police personnel in Kabul. "Those who defy the orders of Amirul Momineen Mullah Hibatullah Akhund and go to fight beyond the borders of another country (without naming Pakistan) are not justified and are disobeying the amir's orders," Saeed said. "Individuals who affiliate themselves with one group or another to engage in jihad in a foreign country are not considered mujahideen or jihadis," he added. This marks the third time that Amirul Momineen Hibatullah Akhund has directed all followers and communicated to commanders along Pakistan's western border that any jihad undertaken without the decree of the Amir or the Council of Ulema is considered fasad (illegal or corrupt). The message came following a drone strike in Janikhel, Bannu, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday, which killed over 70 militants. Post-strike investigations revealed that more than 30 of the casualties were Afghan nationals, a source added. Following the incident, Islamabad sent a stern message to Kabul, warning that if cross-border recruitment was not halted, the repercussions would be more severe, the source added. The message from Amirul Momineen was conveyed to all military commanders along the Pak-Afghan border. A recent Tashkeel (a large Taliban formation) was successfully thwarted, and several recruiters were arrested in the provinces of Khost, Paktika, and Paktiyacollectively known as Loya Paktiya or larger Paktiya, the stronghold of the Haqqani Network. This was the second time such measures were implementedfirst after Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif visited Kabul, and now following the recent visit of Chinese and Pakistani delegations, the source said. "A total of more than fifteen recruiters were arrested, including individuals who were part of the Tashkeel," a provincial source added. According to the source, the message delivered by the senior commander at the Hazrat Hamza Military Academy was of a highly important nature, directed at all those who would be at the helm of affairs. The message came at a time when a tripartite meeting between Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan is scheduled to be held in Kabul in July. Is China a bonding force Haq Nawaz Khan, a senior security analyst and journalist with The Washington Post, told The Express Tribune's Peshawar office that "China is the bonding force behind easing tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, while regional realignment, development, and the success of CPEC projects are closely linked to the security of the region." Haq Nawaz Khan explained that multiple threats rooted in Afghanistan extend beyond the TTP, including groups such as Hafiz Gul Bahadur, ISKP and the Turkistan Islamic Party (formerly known as the East Turkistan Islamic Movement), which is known for its expertise in drone technology. He added that this group has reportedly supplied drones to the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), whose union is also referred to as BRAS. Additionally, various Baloch nationalist forces, including the BLA and BLF, maintain links to Afghan soil. The TIP was known for providing drone technology to the TTP. The BLF was also among the recipients whom Islamabad has asked to be restrained. TIP is also reportedly behind the supply of laser technology and thermal engineering systems to both TTP and Balochistan liberation forces, The Express Tribune has learned. If China were not supporting the unusual alliance between Islamabad and Kabul, the Qandharis would have allied with Iran and others, while the Haqqani network would have aligned with the UAE and Saudi Arabia. However, Beijing has severed all such ties for now, he said. Projects for Afghanistan The source revealed that upcoming rail and road initiatives include a railroad connecting Hiratan to Parachinar and Kohat, which will link to the existing Chinese-backed Karachi to Peshawar route. "During the Chinese negotiations, Mullah Hibatullah requested that the railroad also be extended to southern Afghanistan, linking Kandahar and Herat provinces, which were considered part of the project," the source added. The existing Kabul-Jalalabad road via Mahipar will be replaced by a highway connecting various eastern provinces, while another highway will link Kandahar to Kabul, and a third will run from Kabul to Mazar-e-Sharif, the senior official said.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Afghan Taliban commander issues warning to TTP
KABUL: A senior commander of the Afghan Taliban has issued a stern warning to militant factions operating under the banner of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) - also referred to as Khawarij -cautioning them against engaging in violent activities in Pakistan without the explicit approval of the Islamic Emirate's leadership. Addressing a police passing-out ceremony, Saeedullah Saeed, a senior figure within the Taliban ranks, said that Jihad can only be declared by the Amir (supreme leader) of an Islamic state and not by individuals or groups acting independently. 'Fighting in any country, including Pakistan, without the command of the Amir is against Shariah and considered Fasad (corruption), not legitimate Jihad,' Saeed said. He added that those who launch operations across borders based on group loyalty or personal motivations are defying Islamic principles as well as the authority of the Afghan leadership. TTP continues to jeopardise Pak-Afghan ties: SAPM Sadiq 'Joining different factions and carrying out jihad abroad does not make one a true Mujahid,' he asserted. 'Such actions are rooted in ego and factionalism, not religious duty.' The commander further clarified that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has prohibited any unauthorized movement across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, stressing that such actions amount to disobedience of the Emirate's leadership. Saeed's remarks come amid growing concerns over cross-border militancy and increased attacks inside Pakistan, many of which have been linked to groups affiliated with the banned TTP, some of whose factions are believed to operate from Afghan soil. Security analysts in Pakistan have welcomed the statement, viewing it as a potential step towards curbing militant activities along the porous border. Experts say the Taliban's official stance lends weight to Pakistan's narrative on counterterrorism, particularly in highlighting the distinction between legitimate resistance and terrorism masked as Jihad. 'This statement strengthens Pakistan's internal security narrative, helps isolate non-state actors engaged in violence, and supports Islamabad's diplomatic position internationally,' a senior defence analyst told Dawn on the condition of anonymity. The commander's warning also alluded to the involvement of foreign-backed groups in destabilizing the region. Analysts point out that factions operating under the Khawarij label, often referred to as Indian proxies by Pakistani officials, are attempting to justify their militant actions under religious pretexts — a tactic Saeed explicitly rejected. The use of the term Khawarij — historically used to denote rebels who deviate from mainstream Islamic teachings — has often been employed by the Afghan Taliban and Pakistani officials alike to delegitimise militant factions operating outside state authority. Saeed's remarks are being seen as an affirmation of the Taliban's evolving stance towards regional militancy, especially in the context of their own governance challenges and international isolation. The Afghan Taliban's position on cross-border militancy remains under close observation as Islamabad continues to press Kabul to take stronger action against groups that target Pakistan from Afghan territory. While Kabul has repeatedly denied hosting militants who threaten neighbouring countries, statements like those made by Saeed indicate a growing recognition within the Afghan Taliban of the need to assert control over rogue elements.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Afghan Taliban warn Khawarij against illegal jihad in Pakistan
Listen to article Senior Afghan Taliban commander Saeedullah Saeed has warned militant factions against unauthorized jihad, particularly in Pakistan, saying such actions are against Shariah and the orders of the Islamic Emirate's leadership. Speaking at a police passing-out ceremony, Saeed said that fighting in any country, including Pakistan, without the explicit command of the Amir is impermissible. 'Joining various groups to wage jihad abroad does not make one a true mujahid,' he stated. 'Only the Amir of the state has the authority to declare jihad—not individuals or groups.' Saeed emphasized that those carrying out attacks independently or moving between regions to conduct operations cannot be classified as legitimate fighters under Islamic law. 'Jihad based on personal ego or group loyalty is considered fasad (corruption), not legitimate resistance,' he added. He further stated that the Afghan leadership has prohibited unauthorized entry into Pakistan, and any such act constitutes disobedience. 'Groups attacking in the name of jihad are defying both Shariah and the authority of the Afghan Emirate,' he warned. Security analysts in Pakistan welcomed the statement, saying it reinforces the country's counterterrorism narrative, domestic stability, and diplomatic positioning. Defense experts also noted that India-backed proxies operating under the name of Khawarij are engaged in activities that amount to terrorism, not religious struggle, further destabilizing the region.
