New Delhi: On Thursday Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has accused Pakistan of repeated airspace violations and making “unrealistic” demands during recent bilateral talks, warning that Kabul would defend its sovereignty if provoked.
In a strongly-worded statement, Muttaqi said tensions between the Afghanistan and “certain military circles within Pakistan” had escalated due to Islamabad’s alleged breaches of Afghan territory. “Our airspace and markets were bombed, and even the skies above our capital were violated,” he said, adding that Afghanistan had “no choice but to respond.”
Muttaqi revealed that three rounds of talks, in Qatar and Istanbul, collapsed after Pakistan demanded that “no security incidents would occur in Pakistan,” a condition he dismissed as “illogical.” “How can we be responsible for Pakistan’s internal security? Do we control their police or army?” he asked.
He further alleged that Daesh (ISIS) elements were being trained inside Pakistan to destabilise Afghanistan and rejected Islamabad’s reported proposal to relocate Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters into Afghan territory, calling it a recipe for “chaos.”
Responding to claims that militants cross into Pakistan from Afghanistan, Muttaqi questioned how such movement was possible across the heavily fortified Durand Line. “You have technology, cameras, and hundreds of checkposts. If fighters still cross, why can’t you stop them?” he said.
He accused Pakistan of scapegoating Afghanistan for its internal unrest, economic challenges, and political instability. “You fought wars with India, had clashes with Iran, and now face unrest with Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan — will you blame all of that on Afghanistan?” he asked.
Muttaqi also condemned Pakistan’s expulsion of Afghan refugees and the closure of trade routes, remarking that “a nuclear power is using its strength against onions and tomatoes.”
Reaffirming Kabul’s stance, he said Afghan soil would not be used against any country and called for “reasonable, practical diplomacy.” He expressed hope that “honourable scholars and politicians of Pakistan” would help restore calm between the two nations.
(Inputs from IANS)