Pakistan, May 28 -- A senior Afghan Taliban commander, Saeedullah Saeed, has strongly condemned militant attacks in Pakistan, stating they are not legitimate jihad. Speaking at a police ceremony, he said only the Amir of the Islamic Emirate can declare jihad. Any attack carried out without this authority is against Shariah and the orders of Afghanistan's leadership.

Saeed warned that individuals or groups acting on personal motives or joining foreign factions for "jihad" are causing fasad (corruption), not engaging in legitimate resistance. He stressed that fighting in another country, including Pakistan, without the Emirate's command, is strictly forbidden. He added that true jihad cannot be based on ego or group loyalty.

The commander...