Pak Minister’s Shocking Claim on Taliban and India
In a bizarre turn of events, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed claimed this week that the Afghan Taliban are “controlled by India“—a statement met with widespread ridicule and skepticism. The allegation comes as Islamabad struggles to stabilize relations with Kabul’s new Taliban-led government.
A Baffling and Baseless Allegation
During a press conference in Islamabad, Rashid accused India of using the Taliban to destabilize Pakistan, calling it a “foreign conspiracy.” However, he provided no evidence, leaving analysts and diplomats puzzled.
Given Pakistan’s long-standing ties to the Taliban—from the 1990s to the U.S. withdrawal—the claim appears contradictory. Many experts see it as an attempt to deflect from Pakistan’s worsening diplomatic crisis with Afghanistan.
Kabul and New Delhi Dismiss Claims
The Taliban swiftly denied Rashid’s remarks, with spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid calling them “baseless.” India’s foreign ministry also rejected the claim, labeling it “laughable” and another example of Pakistan’s blame-shifting tactics.
Pakistan’s Faltering Influence Over Taliban
The outburst comes at a tense moment in Pak-Afghan relations. Despite Islamabad’s initial hopes of stronger ties with the Taliban, relations have deteriorated due to:
– Border clashes between Pakistani forces and Afghan militants
– Refugee crises straining diplomatic talks
– Taliban’s refusal to act against the Pakistani Taliban (TTP)
Kabul has accused Pakistan of violating its sovereignty with cross-border strikes, further straining trust.
Domestic Criticism and Public Mockery
Rashid’s remarks have drawn sharp backlash inside Pakistan:
– Opposition leaders like Senator Sherry Rehman (PPP) called it a “distraction from government failures.”
– Social media exploded with memes mocking the idea of Indian-controlled Taliban.
What’s Next for Pakistan and Afghanistan?
With the Taliban strengthening ties with China, Russia, and Iran, Pakistan’s influence in Kabul is waning. Rashid’s unsubstantiated claims only deepen confusion over Islamabad’s Afghan policy—raising concerns about further diplomatic isolation.
As one analyst noted: “When conspiracy theories replace diplomacy, stability becomes impossible.”
Stay updated with NextMinuteNews for further developments.
