NEW DELHI, Nov 13 (IANS) — Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi launched a sharp attack on Pakistan’s military establishment on Thursday, accusing it of repeated airspace violations and making unreasonable demands during recent bilateral talks in Istanbul. He asserted that Afghanistan would firmly defend its sovereignty if provoked.
In a strongly worded statement, Muttaqi said tensions have escalated between Kabul and “certain military circles in Pakistan” over Islamabad’s continued breaches of Afghan territory. “Our airspace and markets were bombed, even the skies above our capital were violated,” he said, adding that Afghanistan had “no choice but to respond.”
He revealed that three rounds of talks — held in Qatar and Istanbul — failed because Pakistan insisted that no security incidents occur on its soil. Calling the demand “illogical,” Muttaqi questioned, “Do we control their police or army?” He also accused Pakistan of training Daesh (ISIS) operatives to attack Afghanistan and of proposing to relocate TTP militants inside Afghan territory — an idea he rejected outright.
Muttaqi criticized Islamabad for blaming Afghanistan for its internal problems and for expelling Afghan refugees, remarking that “a nuclear power is using its strength against onions and tomatoes.” Reaffirming Kabul’s stance, he said Afghanistan’s soil would not be used against any country and urged for “realistic and practical diplomacy.”
–IANS
