Kabul: Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has accused Pakistan of attempting to force “mysterious projects” on Kabul and using economic pressure, border closures and political leverage to destabilise the Taliban administration.
Speaking at a gathering in Kabul on Wednesday, Muttaqi said Pakistan had expected Afghan citizens to turn against the Taliban government after Islamabad shut key trade routes, but claimed the move neither triggered shortages nor unrest, as other regional partners stepped in to supply essential goods. He alleged that Pakistan, which has disputes with most of its neighbours, is pressuring Afghanistan with what he called “unrealistic and unacceptable” security demands, despite measures already taken by the Taliban such as relocating Waziristani families from border areas and deploying more forces along the frontier.
Muttaqi argued that Pakistan wants the Taliban to “deliver everything” while failing to address its own internal security challenges, and criticised Islamabad’s political system, saying decision-making is split between civilian leaders and the military, complicating negotiations. Defending Kabul’s outreach to New Delhi, he described Afghanistan’s growing ties with India as the “legitimate political and economic relations of a sovereign state” and questioned Pakistan’s objections to Taliban delegations visiting India.
The remarks come amid heightened tensions following reported Pakistani air strikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika, Khost and Kunar provinces, which Kabul has denounced as violations of its sovereignty and international norms. Afghan authorities said at least 10 civilians, including nine children, were killed in a strike on a residential area in Khost on November 25, while separate attacks in Kunar and Paktika injured four others, prompting spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid to warn that a “necessary response” would be delivered at an appropriate time.
Kabul has also showcased hundreds of newly graduated Taliban commandos as a signal of readiness to confront any perceived aggression, with Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar declaring that Afghanistan will not tolerate territorial violations and that any foreign force attempting to breach its soil will face a decisive response. The Defence Ministry said the new units have received full ideological and military training to defend the country’s borders, as Baradar urged neighbouring states not to test Afghan patience or harbour hostile designs towards Afghan territory.
(Inputs from IANS)