Taliban government calls for global peace on fifth anniversary of power

Marking the fifth anniversary of their return to power, the de facto Taliban government has issued a statement calling for peaceful coexistence with the international community. The self-proclaimed Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan stated that it desires to live in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility with all countries and pledged that Afghan territory will never be used to attack other states.

The message also urged foreign nations to cease what it termed ‘conspiracies’ against Afghanistan and to respect the country’s territory, airspace, and interests. This diplomatic outreach follows a year of increasing engagement with powers such as China, India, and the European Union, as well as Russia, which is the only nation to officially recognize the Taliban government.

This assertion comes amid ongoing tensions with Pakistan. Islamabad has accused Kabul of sheltering groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which conducts attacks on Pakistani soil. According to the UN, border conflicts and exchanges of accusations have resulted in nearly 500 Afghan civilian deaths over the past year, though Taliban authorities claim the figure is closer to 900. Amnesty International has raised concerns regarding potential war crimes in the region.