In a June 27, 2012 statement, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (the Taliban) issued a statement congratulating Egyptian President-elect Mohammed Morsi on his victory calling it “a great change on the Middle Eastern level and...on the international level, which carries the hopes of positive changes for the Islamic Emirate.” The group highlighted the global significance of the election claiming, “The success of the Islamic government in Egypt is considered to be the strongest blow in the Middle East and the whole world to American and Zionist expansionism.” The statement expressed the Taliban’s hope that Egypt will “[defend] the Islamic issues on the Muslim world level.” The group also thanked Egyptians in general and the Islamic scholars of Al-Azhar University in particular for their support of Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, in a June 27, 2012 statement, Pakistani Taliban (TTP) spokesman Ihsanullah Ihsan commented on the success of the Muslim Brotherhood in the recent Egyptian presidential elections and the reaction among Pakistanis to the news. Ihsan asked rhetorically, “Why are the people of Egypt and some Pakistanis so happy?” He explained this development could only be considered a “victory of Islam and Muslims if (1) he was elected by an Islamic process, [and] (2) he will fully impose Shariah.” He instead claimed, “this is a victory of secularism.” Ihsan lauded Brotherhood founder Hasan Al-Banna for his aggressive approach, but criticized President-elect Mohammed Morsi because he “accepted [the democratic system] just for [the] power of government.”