Afghan Taliban distances itself from TTP, says we have no branch

The Taliban, which is ruling in Afghanistan, has said that the Taliban has no connection with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Pakistan. Let us tell you that recently TTP chief Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud had said that his organization is a branch of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA).

Now Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in an interview with Arab News has dismissed Mehsud’s claim of affiliation with the Afghan Taliban. He said that those TTPs are not part of the IEA as an organization and that we are not of the same motive.

Zabihullah further said that we advise TTP to focus on peace and stability in our country. This is extremely important so that TTP can prevent any chance of enemy interference in this region and Pakistan. We request the Government of Pakistan to look into the demands of TTP for the betterment of the region and Pakistan.

Zabihullah has described the TTP issue as an internal issue of Pakistan. He said that the stand of the IEA is that we do not interfere in the affairs of other countries. This is our opinion about Pakistan as well. However, about a month ago, Amir Khan Muttaki, the acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, said that the Afghan Taliban were mediating between Pakistan and the TTP at the behest of both sides.