KABUL, Afghanistan: Al Mirsaad mentioned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan in only four of 137 articles while focusing heavily on Islamic State Khorasan Province, a Durand Despatch analysis said.
The analysis reviewed Al Mirsaad’s articles published between October 2025 and March 2026. It said the web-based outlet received funding and direction from the media wing of the Taliban’s General Directorate of Intelligence.
More than half of Al Mirsaad’s articles framed ISKP as the main terrorist threat to regional security. The limited TTP coverage came despite Pakistan’s repeated concerns over cross-border attacks from Afghanistan.
The analysis said Al Mirsaad used a victimhood narrative to present the Taliban as a target of ISKP violence. It said the messaging diverted attention from Taliban restrictions on women, minorities and political dissent.
Pakistan had suffered more than 3,000 civilian and military casualties since the 2021 US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
It attributed those casualties to TTP violence and said the group operated from Afghanistan under Taliban patronage. Al Mirsaad criticised Pakistan’s strikes against TTP bases in Afghanistan.
It said the outlet’s position matched statements by Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid.
The analysis also said the Taliban used Russian recognition and Indian diplomatic contacts to project growing acceptance.
It added that United Nations censures and International Criminal Court warrants against Taliban leaders remained obstacles to wider legitimacy.
