Kabul, Dec 4 (NationPress) The Taliban administration in Afghanistan reiterated on Thursday that the trade routes with Pakistan will only reopen following robust guarantees from the Islamabad government.

In a statement posted on X, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accused Pakistan of illegally obstructing trade and transit routes as a form of political and economic leverage, causing losses for citizens of both nations.

"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan emphasizes its stance on reopening trade routes with Pakistan. These routes have been unjustly closed by Pakistan as a tactic of political and economic coercion, resulting in significant losses for both parties," Mujahid stated on X.

"Given that Afghanistan sources its needs from various other nations, the Islamic Emirate has decided that the trade routes with Pakistan will be restored only when strong assurances are provided by the Pakistani authorities; ensuring that these routes do not face future closures due to political coercion, unlawful usage, or pressure on the populace, thereby safeguarding the rights of traders and citizens from both countries," he added.

This statement from the Taliban spokesperson followed Pakistan's announcement of reopening the Torkham and Chaman border crossings with Afghanistan to facilitate United Nations humanitarian aid, according to local media.

In October, Pakistan had halted all trade routes with Afghanistan after its forces conducted operations near the Durand Line. Afghan forces also retaliated with strikes in response. Following the trade route closure, Afghanistan's Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, urged industrialists and traders to explore alternative routes beyond Pakistan, as reported by Pajhwok Afghan News.

On Wednesday, Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi accused Pakistan of attempting to enforce "mysterious projects" on Kabul and leveraging economic pressure, border closures, and political tactics to destabilize the Taliban regime, as per local reports.

During a gathering in Kabul, Muttaqi stated that Pakistan anticipated that the Afghan populace would react negatively and pressure the Taliban administration following the closure of trade routes. However, he claimed that the border shutdown did not lead to shortages or unrest in Afghanistan, as essential goods were supplied by other regional partners, according to Khaama Press.

He remarked that Pakistan has longstanding disputes with nearly all its neighbors and is exerting pressure on Afghanistan with what he labeled as "unrealistic and unacceptable" security demands.

Muttaqi emphasized that the Taliban has already taken steps to alleviate the concerns of the Pakistani authorities, including relocating Waziristani tribal families away from the border and increasing military presence over the past four years.

He criticized Pakistan for expecting the Taliban to "deliver everything" while Islamabad struggles with its internal security challenges. He also condemned Pakistan's political landscape, highlighting the division of decision-making between civilian leaders and military, which complicates negotiations.