Pakistan Seeks Written Assurance After Afghan Clerics Forbid Cross-Border Militancy

2025-12-12 05:06:45

(MENAFN- Tribal News Network)

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A group of more than one thousand Afghan religious scholars has issued a significant fatwa declaring that Afghanistan's territory must not be used for attacks against any neighbouring country, amid Pakistan's growing concerns over cross-border militancy originating from Afghan soil.

The fatwa states that if any individual is found involved in militant activities outside Afghanistan, the Islamic Emirate has the right to take action against them. It further says that Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has not granted permission to any Afghan citizen to participate in armed activities abroad, and violations will lead to punitive measures against those involved.

Pakistan has welcomed this development, terming it a positive step, but has expressed cautious optimism due to the Taliban's past behaviour. The Foreign Office has again urged the interim Afghan government to provide a written assurance that Afghan territory will not be used against Pakistan.

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Experts, however, say that while the fatwa is important symbolically, it does not carry formal endorsement from the Afghan government, nor does it mention Pakistan by name. They add that the scholars issuing the decree do not possess legal authority, raising questions about its practical implementation.
The fatwa comes at a time when Islamabad is pressing Kabul for effective action against militants of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operating from Afghan soil. Pakistan has also requested the Taliban to issue an official decree in the name of the supreme leader to help curb cross-border militant activities. In response, the Taliban suggested consulting Afghan scholars - a process that led to the issuance of this fatwa.

Sheikh Faqirullah Faiq, a participating Afghan religious scholar at the gathering held at Kabul University, described the fatwa as“very important” and expressed hope that it would produce positive outcomes. He said senior scholars from all major schools of thought and representatives of 34 major jihadi madrassas attended the assembly.
He noted that the Taliban are influenced by their teachers, and some individuals tend to travel to areas such as Pakistan and Gaza, which the supreme leader does not approve of. According to him, the fatwa is expected to have a constructive and effective impact on neighbouring countries.

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