Abdul Salam Zaeef, a former Taliban ambassador to Pakistan, says defending the borders of an Islamic country can no longer depend solely on condemnation and sacrifice.
In a statement, Zaeef said effective national defense requires knowledge, technology and modern tools, emphasizing the changing nature of security and warfare.
His comments come amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan and recent Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory.
Zaeef said that protecting the country’s borders requires modern capabilities and the ability to respond to evolving security challenges. He also emphasized the importance of developing knowledge and technological capacity as part of national defense.
The former Taliban diplomat’s remarks come as relations between Kabul and Islamabad remain tense over security concerns and accusations involving militant groups operating along the border.
Pakistan has maintained that armed groups based in Afghanistan pose a security threat to Pakistan, while Taliban authorities have rejected allegations that Afghan territory is being used to launch attacks against neighboring countries.
The comments by Zaeef highlight growing discussion within Afghanistan about the country’s security capabilities and its ability to respond to external military pressure.