US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Washington is ready to play a “productive role” in addressing Pakistan’s security concerns over alleged attacks originating from Afghan territory, although he did not elaborate on what such a role might involve.

Speaking at a press conference in Atlanta on Saturday, Rubio said Pakistan believes the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has not done enough to prevent such attacks.

“We obviously don’t want them to be targeted for terrorism. So, if there’s a productive role for us to play, we would play it,” Rubio said.

The top US diplomat added that Washington does not necessarily have close relations with the IEA.

“We’re against terrorism, no matter where it emanates from and who it targets,” he said.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused the IEA of allowing militant groups, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), to operate from Afghan territory and launch attacks inside Pakistan.

IEA officials have rejected the allegations, maintaining that Afghan territory is not being used against other countries.

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate, says Kabul has made its final efforts to resolve tensions with Pakistan through dialogue, but these efforts have so far failed to produce tangible results.

Speaking to a local radio station, Mujahid confirmed that messages have been exchanged between Kabul and Islamabad. However, he said diplomatic initiatives by mediating countries and Islamic Emirate officials to ease tensions between the two neighbouring countries have also proved unsuccessful.

Mujahid attributed the lack of progress to what he described as Pakistan’s “wrong policies,” claiming that Islamabad has shown little willingness to resolve its differences with Kabul through peaceful negotiations.

He reiterated that Afghanistan was not responsible for the emergence of the current tensions, adding that the Islamic Emirate remains committed to resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomatic engagement.

His remarks come amid continued tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, as diplomatic efforts to ease bilateral differences have yet to produce a lasting breakthrough.

Rahmatullah Najib, the governor of Badakhshan, has urged young Afghans to reject what he described as foreign propaganda and recruitment efforts by opposition groups, calling for national unity, stability and an end to violence.

Speaking at a meeting on the implementation of Sharia and public coordination within the framework of the Islamic Emirate’s administration in Badakhshan, Najib claimed that foreign countries were attempting to influence Afghan youth and encourage them to oppose the current administration.

He stressed that human life, particularly the lives of Muslims, should be protected and not sacrificed. He also said that armed activities carried out in the name of jihad without what he considers a legitimate religious objective should not be regarded as jihad.

Najib alleged that some Afghan youths had been influenced by propaganda originating from across the Durand Line and encouraged to fight against the Islamic Emirate. He questioned the motives of those opposing the current administration and challenging its system.

The governor further accused foreign powers of supporting opposition groups in an attempt to undermine Afghanistan’s values and stability. Referring to the former presence of US and Western forces in Afghanistan, he said their efforts to establish democracy had failed despite the resources and capabilities at their disposal.

He also accused Pakistan of supporting groups opposed to the Islamic Emirate rather than addressing its own domestic challenges. Najib claimed that some young Afghans were taken to border areas and left with limited opportunities to return, exposing them to serious risks.

He maintained that the Islamic Emirate’s administration was capable of confronting its opponents and addressing threats to public security.

Najib concluded by describing the current system as a common home for all Afghans and called on citizens to maintain unity, preserve stability and prevent further conflict and bloodshed.