Pakistan rejects allegations of US using its soil

FO says Afghan Taliban’s charge defies norms of responsible diplomacy


Kamrani Yousaf August 29, 2022
Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar. PHOTO: RADIO PAKISTAN

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ISLAMBAD:

Pakistan on Sunday rejected Afghan Taliban government’s allegations that the country was allowing the United States to use its air space for drones, terming the charge as defying the diplomatic norms.

The late-night reaction from the Foreign Office came after Afghan Interim Defence Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob alleged that Pakistan was allowing the US to operate drones from its soil.

“According to our information the drones are entering through Pakistan to Afghanistan, they use Pakistan’s airspace, we ask Pakistan, don’t use your airspace against us,” said Mullah Yaqoob, who is the son of former Taliban spiritual leader Mullah Omar.

Responding to allegations, Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said that Pakistan had noted, with deep concern, the allegation by acting defence minister of Afghanistan regarding the use of Pakistan’s airspace in the US counter-terrorism drone operation in Afghanistan.

“In the absence of any evidence, as acknowledged by the Afghan minister himself, such conjectural allegations are highly regrettable and defy the norms of responsible diplomatic conduct,” Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said.

Pakistan, he added, reaffirmed its belief in the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states and condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. “We urge the Afghan interim authorities to ensure the fulfilment of international commitments made by Afghanistan not to allow the use of its territory for terrorism against any country.”

The allegation of the US operating drones from Pakistan surfaced after the recent killing of al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul. The al-Qaeda chief, who had $25 million bounty on his head, was killed in a CIA drone strike when he was standing in the balcony of a house in the upscale Kabul neighbourhood.

The presence and killing of Zawahiri in Kabul was embarrassing for the Afghan Taliban, who repeatedly pledged not to allow Afghan soil to be used again by terrorist groups. The Taliban particularly made a commitment in the Doha accord to cut ties with the al-Qaeda.
Following the killing of Zawahiri, questions were raised as to which base the US had used for the drone strike. Pakistan was named one suspect though Islamabad vehemently denied its involvement. The Foreign Office had already clarified that neither the drone from Pakistan nor its airspace was used.

But the latest allegations from the top Taliban leader may undermine relationship between the two countries at a time when Pakistan is not happy with the continuing problem posed by outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and its affiliates.

COMMENTS (4)

test | 2 years ago | Reply First of all 1-How Afghan Taliban can say that for surely 2-What happened to the promise Afghan Taliban made that there land will not be used to attack Pakistan 3-Did Afghan Taliban took any action against TTP You need evidence in order to claim anything in world politics. Blaming is equal to downgrading relations. We must avoid that. And if there is really an evidence then that may be because you didn t take action against those terrorists TTP BLA who terrorise our country Pakistan . 25 Million dollar is a very big amount that is almost equal 550-600 crore pkr. Currently i have 75000 pkr 337 i am just thinking 25 million is a pretty much big amount. To whom US paid that much money Anyway the man that US killed would be very important for them that s why. But anyway bring some evidence before making any claim blaming Pakistan and if you want to downgrade your relations with Pakistan then its your choice we have nothing to do with that. First take action against TTP BLA because you have promised and promise is a promise which is not meant to be broken otherwise you are not meant to be a muslim. Pakistan is working on a framework to add Afghanistan to CPEC but you are behaving like this Afghan Taliban has to make sure that their land will never be used against Pakistan and we will make sure that our land will not be used against Afghanistan. Anyway our govt still might be working on CPEC extension with Afghanistan.
test | 2 years ago | Reply First of all 1-How Afghan Taliban can say that for surely 2-What happened to the promise Afghan Taliban made that there land will not be used to attack Pakistan 3-Did Afghan Taliban took any action against TTP You need evidence in order to claim anything in world politics. Blaming is equal to downgrading relations. We must avoid that. And if there is really an evidence then that may be because you didn t take action against those terrorists TTP BLA who terrorise our country Pakistan . 25 Million dollar is a very big amount that is almost equal 550-600 crore pkr. Currently i have 75000 pkr 450 i am just thinking 25 million is a pretty much big amount. Anyway bring some evidence before making any claim and if you want to downgrade your relations with Pakistan then its your choice we have nothing to do with that. First take action against TTP BLA because you have promised and promise is a promise which is not meant to be broken otherwise you are not meant to be even called a muslim. A muslim has only one tongue while non can have two.
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