Taliban Objects to Afghanistan's Characterisation As Potential Threat Abroad

Amir Khan Muttaqi, Taliban's foreign minister has reacted to the speech by Roza Otunbayeva, head of United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), in the UN Security Council.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed objection to the "characterisation of Afghanistan as a potential threat to other nations”.

It labeled Otunbayeva's speech as containing "baseless allegations”. Additionally, the ministry urged the United Nations to prioritise accuracy and impartiality in its reporting and actions, avoiding bias.

As per the Taliban’s statement, the group is committed to constructive and purposeful engagement to achieve common interests and responds to shared concerns at any time and place within the framework of the Islamic sharia, Afghanistan's independence and interests, alongside all countries worldwide and the United Nations.

Otunbayeva stated in her speech to the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday, that Afghanistan is a challenge for the international community and a source of instability. She added that terrorism has been exported from the country to other parts of the world.

She also said that in the region and beyond, there are concerns about the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan.

She emphasised that the concerns extend beyond the presence of ISIS in Afghanistan. According to Otunbayeva, the presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan is a significant worry for Pakistan, as the country has experienced terrorist acts in recent months.