Afghanistan’s foreign ministry insists the problem originates from Pakistan. PHOTO: AFP
Afghanistan hit out at Pakistan on Friday for allowing ‘terrorists’ training centres and sanctuaries on its soil a day after Islamabad cautioned Kabul against permitting militants to take shelter across the border during any military operation in the Waziristan tribal region.
The problem of ‘terrorism and extremism in the region’ originates from Pakistan, Afghan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Shakeeb Mustaghni said.
On Thursday, Pakistani foreign ministry spokesperson Tasnim Aslam urged Afghanistan not to allow militants to enter its territory in the wake of airstrikes in the tribal region. In a statement issued on Friday, Afghanistan’s foreign ministry said, “Pakistan has hideouts and training centres for terrorists and extremists for years and attacks have been launched into Afghanistan from there that have caused casualties.” Afghanistan, the ministry added, has always called for ‘sincere and practical’ cooperation with Pakistan to fight terrorism and extremism. The Dari version of the statement was received by The Express Tribune in Islamabad.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were strained after Islamabad protested against the execution of 23 security personnel by Pakistani Taliban on Afghan soil.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 1st, 2014.
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@someone: Holding more than 12 million Afghan refugees, I think we have done more than we could for Afghanistan but since it has made it clear that it does not want good relations, we have no issue with that. Soon after the USA leaves Afghanistan, Talibans would take over and thus all the issues of that sort would be dealt with. As for you Mr. Indian, India has always been an enemy of Pakistan, no matter how hard we try to establish good relations with India, it would never accept that and blame every issue it faces on Pakistan. Grow up Indians!
@Bakhtiyar Ghazi Khan: Rubbish - Pakistan is despised by all Afghan's.
@Nazir Ahmed: Just call it a Refugistan instead and you will then be fully entitled to charities from all over the world!
Rex Minor
@Max: Indeed, according to your Indian logic!
@Muhammad: The man you call mayor of Kabul has shown more spunk in standing upto US than any Pakistani ruler - civilian or military.
It is difficult to get rid of bad name. Afghanistan, Iran, India always blame Pakistan based on incidents planned in Pakistan and executed in neighbouring countries.
Thus spake the sidekick of the glorified mayor of Kabul :-)
@Asif: Not this Government of Al Capone? They cannot and must not be allowed to complete its tenure. They have no mandate for Operations but for a dialogue, accomodation, reconciliation and peace! Infact they are even destroying the very fabric of the Governance through independent Provincial Governments.
Rex Minor .
Fed on Indian baby milk, Afghan FM seems to have forgotten why ISAF forces are stationed in his country. Tic toc...tic toc...the clock is ticking when ISAF won't be there any more. Would be really interesting what sort of foreign policy statements would come out then.
The current Government should think long term. Pakistan and Afghanistan will continue to be neighbors.