ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday berated Afghanistan for “neglecting its duties as a neighbouring and brother country”, and for disregarding vital obligations made in the Doha peace agreement, specifically its commitment to prevent the use of Afghan soil for terrorist activities.
The minister’s statement comes just a day after Pakistan army voiced their “serious concerns regarding the safe havens and freedom of movement enjoyed” by the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) within Afghanistan.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) had issued the statement following Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir’s visit to Quetta Garrison where he was briefed on a recent attack on a military installation in Balochistan’s Zhob Cantt.
A total of nine soldiers were martyred in the attack that took place on Wednesday while security forces killed 5 terrorists in retaliatory action.
In a tweet today, the defence minister flayed Afghanistan, alleging a failure to uphold its commitments as outlined in the Doha agreement.
“Afghanistan is neither fulfilling its obligation as a neighbouring and brotherly country nor safeguarding the peace agreement.”
According to Asif, Pakistan has provided refuge to five to six million Afghan refugees for 40 to 50 years with all their rights intact. However, he added: “Conversely, the terrorists who shed the blood of Pakistanis find refuge on Afghan soil.”
The minister cautioned that the ongoing situation could no longer persist. He asserted that Pakistan would employ all possible resources and measures, “with the guidance of Allah, to safeguard its territory and citizens”.
When asked to comment on the military’s statement, Taliban spokesperson in Qatar, Suhail Shaheen, told that Kabul was committed not to allow anyone to use the soil of Afghanistan against any other country.
“We have made it clear time and again that we are committed not to allow anyone to use the soil of Afghanistan against any other country because stability in the region and in Afghanistan is essential as we are intending to make Afghanistan hub of regional trade and prosperity. It is only possible when the region enjoy peace and stability,” he said.
