Afghanistan Slams Pakistan PM Over Terrorism Remarks
Afghanistan rejects Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's terrorism allegations, calling them baseless propaganda to hide Islamabad's internal failures.
In a scathing rebuttal, the Afghan government has hit back at Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, dismissing his recent allegations regarding terrorism emanating from Afghan soil as baseless propaganda. Afghan officials asserted that Islamabad is using such rhetoric to deflect attention from its own deepening political, security, and economic crises.
'A Failed Policy,' Says Afghan Spokesperson
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Afghan government spokesperson, launched a sharp critique following the Prime Minister's recent comments. In a statement shared via social media, Mujahid accused Pakistani authorities of prioritizing propaganda over finding actual solutions to the multifaceted challenges facing their nation.
"Blaming Afghanistan for its own failures by Pakistani officials is no solution to any problem," Mujahid stated. He further emphasized that the internal instability within Pakistan—spanning political, social, and economic sectors—carries negative implications for the stability of the entire region.
Sabotaging Negotiations
The Afghan spokesperson went on to claim that Pakistan's current approach is not just ineffective but actively harmful. According to Mujahid, the recent accusations and the focus on blame-shifting serve to:
- Sabotage negotiation processes intended to foster regional stability.
- Hide domestic drawbacks instead of addressing systemic issues.
- Divert attention from the severe economic and security challenges within Islamabad.
Mujahid urged Pakistan to shift its focus toward constructive steps to address its domestic issues and to respect the rights and views of its own people and politicians.
Double Criticism from Kabul
The criticism was echoed by Afghanistan's Deputy Government Spokesman, Hamdullah Fitrat, who also took to social media to condemn Islamabad's stance. Fitrat argued that the emphasis on making accusations against Kabul does nothing to resolve the pressing issues within Pakistan.
"Making baseless accusations, sabotaging negotiation processes, and focusing the collective efforts of high-ranking officials on propaganda instead of solutions is a failed policy," Fitrat remarked, reinforcing the sentiment that Pakistan's domestic struggles are being unfairly projected onto its neighbor.
The Root of the Conflict
The diplomatic spat was triggered after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during an official visit to Pakistan. During the meeting, Sharif expressed grave concerns regarding the presence of terrorist groups on Afghan soil and demanded concrete, verifiable action to combat them.
This exchange highlights the deep-seated and continuing rift between Islamabad and Kabul. While Pakistan continues to demand international intervention against militant groups operating from Afghan territory, the Afghan administration maintains that these claims are unfounded and serve as a smokescreen for Pakistan's own internal volatility.