KABUL (SW) – The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has conveyed to the leadership of Pakistan that promoting mistrust is in no one’s interests.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, has issued a statement titled: “Statements of the Spokesman of the Islamic Emirate in connection with the relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan”. It said that the government of the Islamic Emirate wants “good relations with the spirit of good neighborliness” with all neighboring countries including Pakistan.
Mr. Mujahid added in this announcement that recently, false statements have been made by Pakistani officials regarding Afghanistan, which is a source of regret.
The spokesman of the Islamic Emirate has emphasized that the government of the Islamic Emirate is making all efforts to ensure that Afghanistan’s soil will not be used against any country, not only against Pakistan.
The declaration states: “We are committed to this goal, but the Pakistani side also has a responsibility to try to control the situation and avoid baseless and provocative statements; Because these kinds of talks and creating disbelief are not in anyone’s interest.”
Zabihullah Mujahid also said that just as the Islamic Emirate values peace and stability in Afghanistan, it wants peace and stability in the entire region and will continue its efforts in this direction.
Pakistan’s political and military leadership has vowed that no nation will be allowed to shelter militants who stage attacks against the country — an apparent reference to neighboring Afghanistan.
The statement came amid a spike in attacks by the militant Pakistani Taliban, many of whom are said to be hiding in neighboring Afghanistan. The attacks are on the rise across Pakistan, especially in the northwest near the Afghan border, reported VOA.
The announcement came at the end of a lengthy meeting of Pakistan’s National Security Committee, which was attended by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, the newly appointed army chief General Asim Munir and other officials.
According to a government statement, the committee vowed that there will be “zero tolerance for terrorism in Pakistan” and that militants will be dealt with using the “full force of the state.”
The announcement came two weeks after Pakistan’s special forces killed more than two dozen detainees linked to the Pakistani Taliban in a raid after they overpowered guards at a counterterrorism center in the northwest and killed three hostages. Before launching the rescue operation, the detainees had demanded safe passage to Afghanistan, a demand the government rejected.
The Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, are separate from, but allied with, the Afghan Taliban. The Afghan Taliban seized power last year as U.S. and NATO troops were in the final weeks of their pullout from the country after 20 years of war, reported the VOA.
The Islamic Emirate has condemned the recent remarks by the interior minister of Pakistan about striking the alleged TTP hideouts inside Afghanistan.
The Ministry of National Defense, on Sunday issued a statement calling the recent statements of Rana Sanaullah, the Minister of Interior Affairs of Pakistan, about the presence of members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan and a possible attack on them inside Afghanistan, as provocation.
“Even though there is evidence of the existence of TTP centers inside Pakistan, the claims made by the Pakistani authorities damage the good relations between the two neighboring and brotherly countries.”
The Ministry of Defense of Afghanistan has asked Pakistan that any concerns should be resolved through understanding.
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