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The announcement of a nationwide decree last week by the Afghan ulema mandating that Afghan soil not be used for attacks on other countries could ease tensions between Kabul and Islamabad, but it will not end them. In a separate ulema gathering last week, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi pledged to punish any group or entity that violates the commandment.

In a complex socio-political landscape, it is not uncommon for ministers to make announcements outside their portfolios, but Amir Muttaqi’s statement banning the use of Afghan soil for militant attacks on other countries is notable. Given Sirajuddin Haqqani’s role as interior minister and his presence on the US terrorism list, it is likely the Taliban chose not to antagonize the United States.

The Taliban’s unwavering fighting spirit does not translate easily into governance, especially when confronted with severe internal economic hardships and external pressure to combat militancy. It is slowly dawning on the ruling group that the view from the top is different from the view in the trenches.

Islamabad has cautiously welcomed the announcement but has stressed that optimism must be tempered with realism. Even as a matter of diplomatic decorum, Islamabad’s priority remains........

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