KABUL (Kashmir English): Taliban-affiliated religious scholars have resolved that Afghan soil will not be used against any country.
As per Afghan media, a large gathering of Taliban-affiliated religious scholars (totaling over 1000 from all 34 provinces) was held in Kabul.
The Resolution issued by the religious conclave specifically committed that Afghan soil will not be used against any country. Moreover, no Afghan citizen is allowed to travel outside Afghanistan for Jihad.
Preventing use of Afghan soil against Pakistan a key demand
Pakistan has received this statement with cautious optimism as it seems to accept Pakistan’s key demand of preventing use of Afghan soil against Pakistan and not allowing anyone to travel from Afghanistan to carry out terrorism in Pakistan, according to security sources.
However, the real test of this resolution will be in practical implementation as such promises have been made before but seldom honoured.
This Resolution is also a clear vindication of Pakistan’s approach to the issue and its diplomatic stance which was always based on high moral ground and from a position of strength.
Pakistan’s principled and consistent stance appears to have prompted this conclave and it appears the Taliban Regime want to give a religious off ramp to their previous destructive and unsustainable policy.
This religious edict will also give them the face saving they need for a potential policy shift.
In case the Taliban Regime follow this policy, it has the potential to bring long term stability to the restive border region and realize the economic potential.
The ‘proof is however in the pudding’ where the Taliban regime will have to ‘walk the talk’ through verifiable on ground mechanisms that ensure no cross-border terrorism is taking place, according to security sources.
