Taliban Unveils “Greater Afghanistan” Map, Claims Big Parts of Pakistan, Threatens to Raise Flag in Lahore

By Sadab Khan, America News World (ANW)

Kabul, Afghanistan – The Taliban has released a new map called “Greater Afghanistan” that shows large areas of Pakistan as part of Afghan territory. The map removes the Durand Line – the official border drawn in 1893 – and includes Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and other Pashtun-majority regions. Taliban leaders say the border is illegal and that Afghan land extends far beyond it.

The map was presented last week in Khost province during a graduation ceremony at a technical institute. Taliban Deputy Interior Minister Mohammad Nabi Omari accepted the map as a gift. In his speech, Omari warned Pakistan: “If another war is forced on Afghanistan, we will fight the same way we defeated the Soviet Union and the United States.” Children under 18, dressed in military-style uniforms, attended the event.

During a separate Taliban military parade, patriotic songs played with strong anti-Pakistan lyrics. One song declared: “We will raise the white flag in Lahore and burn Islamabad.” The white flag is the Taliban emblem.

Why the Durand Line Matters
The 2,640-km Durand Line was agreed between British India and Afghan ruler Abdur Rahman Khan. When Pakistan became independent in 1947, it inherited the border. Afghanistan has never accepted it, claiming Pashtun tribes on both sides belong to one nation. Clashes along the border have killed soldiers on both sides in recent months.

Taliban Education Minister: “Build Drones and Missiles, Not Swords”
In a related development, Taliban Education Minister Maulvi Habibullah Agha told students in Kabul that Afghanistan no longer needs swords. “In the modern age, we must protect our country and faith with drones, fighter jets, and long-range missiles,” he said. Agha urged Muslim youth to use science and intelligence instead of laziness.

He added, “You don’t need to be Christian, American, or European to invent great things. Muslims have huge brain power.” This is not Agha’s first such call. On September 21, 2024, in Paktika province, he complained that U.S. drones still fly over Afghanistan at night because the Taliban cannot stop them. “Our airspace is still occupied,” he said.

Pakistan-Afghanistan Talks Fail
Peace talks in Istanbul ended without agreement. Pakistan accused India of sabotaging the process. Meanwhile, Pakistan continues airstrikes inside Afghanistan, claiming to target terrorist hideouts. India has sent humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, winning praise from locals and anger from Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir.

What the Map Includes

• Full Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province
• Parts of Balochistan with Pashtun populations
• Areas up to the Indus River in some versions

Taliban spokesmen say the map reflects “historical and ethnic reality,” not an immediate invasion plan. Still, the public display has raised tensions.

U.S. and Regional Reaction
The U.S. State Department called the map “provocative but not surprising,” noting the Taliban’s long-standing rejection of the Durand Line. India’s foreign ministry declined comment. China, a close partner of Pakistan, urged both sides to “exercise restraint.”

History of the Claim
The idea of Greater Afghanistan dates back to the 1950s under King Zahir Shah. Pashtun nationalists have printed similar maps for decades. The Taliban’s open endorsement, however, is new and comes as they seek international legitimacy while facing economic collapse.

What Happens Next?

• Border clashes may increase.
• Pakistan could close more trade routes.
• Taliban may push youth into technical education to build weapons.

For now, the map is a bold symbol of Taliban ambition. Whether it stays on paper or leads to real conflict depends on how Pakistan responds and whether global powers step in.

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