Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Taliban, has claimed that Pakistan’s recent attacks on Afghanistan under the group’s rule were carried out with the aim of allowing Islamabad to escape its commitments under the “Mecca Pact.”

Mujahid said on Thursday, September 24, in a speech at a religious school in Kandahar that the Taliban have taken no action that would provide a pretext for Pakistan to attack Afghanistan.

He claimed that Islamabad, by carrying out airstrikes, is trying to portray itself as being engaged in a war and to distance itself from the responsibilities arising from its security agreement with Saudi Arabia.

The Taliban spokesman also rejected the claims of Pakistani officials about drones being launched from Afghan soil toward Pakistan.

Mujahid stated that if the Taliban were to carry out such an action, they would openly accept responsibility for it, and the intended targets would also be clear.

Pakistan, however, has stated that its recent attacks were carried out after, according to officials of this country, drones entered Pakistani territory from Afghan soil.

Islamabad also accuses the Taliban of harboring armed groups, especially the TTP — an accusation the Taliban have rejected.