The Taliban’s chief spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, said during a ceremony in Paktia that modern warfare is driven by technology and that the group must strengthen its capabilities accordingly.

He said the Taliban could not preserve their system using only the weapons left behind by the United States.

Speaking on Thursday, Mujahid said the Taliban needed to develop the capacity to counter what he described as the “enemy’s” advanced weapons. He added that modern scientific knowledge was essential, arguing that it would prevent “criminals” from viewing Afghanistan “with ill intent.”

Mujahid also claimed that unlike in the past when Pakistan’s border closures led to shortages and price spikes in Afghan markets there had been no recent shortages and only slight price increases. He reiterated that trade routes with Pakistan would remain closed until Islamabad provided firm assurances that the crossings would not be used as instruments of political or economic pressure.