A senior Taliban official has suggested that Pakistan’s powerful military, under General Asim Munir, may be operating independently of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s civilian leadership to escalate tensions with Kabul. This claim surfaced alongside another significant assertion: that US drones have been striking targets inside Afghanistan by flying through Pakistani airspace, with Islamabad reportedly acknowledging an inability to prevent such flights.
Recent peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan, held after weeks of violent cross-border clashes, produced limited visible progress. Yet, the discussions revealed two sensitive points. First, American drones have allegedly been entering Afghan airspace from Pakistan, a situation the Taliban says Islamabad cannot stop due to existing foreign agreements. Second, Taliban representatives claim that Pakistan’s military leadership has been driving policy against Afghanistan without civilian oversight, continuing a long-standing pattern in Pakistan where strategic decisions often bypass elected governments.
The escalation included Pakistani airstrikes deep inside Afghan territory earlier this month, hitting Kabul’s outskirts and Paktika province and causing numerous civilian deaths. Over 250 people have reportedly been killed in the recent conflict cycle, marking one of the most severe spikes in bilateral hostility in years.
Reports indicate that General Munir has played a central diplomatic and security role, raising questions when he appeared alongside PM Sharif during meetings with US President Donald Trump. The Taliban’s findings coincide with Trump's renewed interest in gaining operational influence over Afghanistan’s Bagram airbase, intensifying speculation about shifting geopolitical alignments.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has directly accused Pakistan’s military of amplifying regional tensions and undermining civilian diplomatic efforts. He stated that while Pakistani diplomats have worked toward constructive engagement, military actions have simultaneously escalated the conflict. Mujahid also noted that ties between Kabul and Islamabad were comparatively stable under former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was later removed from office and jailed amid allegations of military interference in civilian governance.
At the same time, the Taliban has reiterated concerns about unauthorized US drone activity. These aircraft, reportedly entering from Pakistani soil, have been described as an “uninvited presence.” Afghanistan claims Pakistan has privately admitted it cannot block the flights due to external agreements, adding another layer of friction.
Current tensions reflect decades of mistrust rooted in history. From the Durand Line dispute to Pakistan's support for anti-Soviet fighters in the 1980s, and from post-9/11 double-game accusations to ongoing claims of militant sanctuaries, both countries continue to blame each other for instability. Pakistan alleges that Afghanistan shelters TTP militants responsible for attacks inside Pakistan, while Afghanistan cites civilian casualties from Pakistani airstrikes and the expulsion of Afghan refugees by Islamabad.
The picture emerging from these developments points to a familiar dynamic: Pakistan’s military asserting dominance in foreign and security policy while civilian authorities operate in the background. The Taliban leadership insists this dynamic is fueling confrontation, while Pakistan denies the accusations. The ceasefire efforts remain fragile, and the geopolitical landscape surrounding the Afghanistan-Pakistan corridor is once again layered with uncertainty, suspicion, and competing power structures.
