Oxus Watch, 12 June 2025
The first analysis in an announced new series by Sweden-based Afghan analyst Abdul Sayed. Here, he looks at the ban in the context of discussion in Islamist circles about the permission to carry out jihad abroad but also in the light of current events, mainly the post-2021 Pakistan-Taleban tensions, motivated, among other aspects, on the Pakistani side by its allegation that the Afghan Taleban not only harbour Pakistani Taleban (the TTP) on their territory but also allow Afghan fighters to join them.
He concludes:
If the Afghan Taliban continue to perceive the Pakistani government as a threat to their authority, or as a “spoiler”—a view occasionally reflected in statements of distrust by some of their leaders and members—then support for armed groups active against the Pakistani state could remain a viable option or a “legitimate justification” for the Afghan Taliban (…).
Revisions:
This article was last updated on 18 Jun 2025
