Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid in a press conference said that Pakistan “is like a second home” and vowed to deepen trade and strategic ties with the country.
He also said that the insurgent group wants good ties with India.
“Afghanistan shares its borders with Pakistan. We are traditionally aligned when it comes to religion, the people of both the countries mingle with each other. So we are looking forward to further deepening of ties with Pakistan,” Mujahid said during an interview with Pakistan-based ARY News.
Mujahid further said that Pakistan and India should sit together to resolve their outstanding issues, adding that Taliban desire good relations with all the countries, including India.
Amid speculation around government formation in Afghanistan, the Taliban spokesperson said they want a government that is strong and based on Islam and which all Afghans are part of. News agency Reuters reported on Wednesday that former Guantanamo detainee Mullah Abdul Qayyum Zakir has been named acting defence minister by the Taliban. The Reuters quoted Al Jazeera news channel for the information.
Mujahid also said that the Taliban won’t allow Afghan soil to be used against any other country. He added that Taliban have seized control of all areas, “restoring peace and normalcy in the war-torn country”.
(Inputs from news agencies Hindustan Times, Reuters, Al Jazeera)