Most Pakistanis Are Peace-Loving, Certain Elements Create Tensions: Afghanistan Foreign Minister
“Why is Pakistan not taking its people into confidence?”
Most Pakistanis Are Peace-Loving, Certain Elements Create Tensions: Afghanistan Foreign Minister: Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, stated that most Pakistanis are peace-loving and that Afghanistan only has issues with certain elements creating tensions.
The Minister made these comments while speaking about tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan at a press conference in New Delhi.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, said, “The people of Pakistan, for the most part, are peace-loving and want good relations with Afghanistan. We have no issues with Pakistani civilians. There are only a few elements in Pakistan that are creating tensions.”
Muttaqi stated that regarding the ongoing tensions, Afghanistan has achieved its military objectives and has paused the conflict from its side for the time being, following the advice of its allies.
“Afghanistan will safeguard its borders and its national interests, and that is why it immediately retaliated to the escalation from Pakistan. We achieved our military objectives last night, and our friends, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, have expressed that this conflict should come to an end. Therefore, we have paused it from our side for the time being.”
“The situation is now under control. We only want good relations and peace. When someone tries to interfere in our internal matters, all civilians, government heads, ulema, and religious leaders unite to defend the country’s interests,” the minister added.
“Afghanistan has been in conflict for 40 years. Afghanistan is finally free and working for peace. If Pakistan does not want good relations and peace, then Afghanistan has other options as well,” the Foreign Minister further stated.
It is noteworthy that in today’s press conference, Afghanistan’s visiting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, included female journalists, unlike the earlier press conference on Friday, where only male journalists were allowed in the room. The move comes after massive outrage over gender discrimination.
On the absence of women journalists from the first press conference, Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi stated, “Regarding the press conference, it was due to the short notice. The participation list was prepared with specific journalists, and it was more of a technical issue than any deliberate exclusion. It was not intended."
“Why is Pakistan not taking its people into confidence?”: Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi
Speaking further at the presser, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said, "There is no presence of TTP in Afghanistan now. Even prior to our return to Kabul, the Pakistan military carried out operations in tribal areas that led to the displacement of a large number of people. The US military and the US-supported former government gave refuge to them on Afghan soil. They are Pakistani people from displaced areas and are allowed to live in the country as refugees...”
The Afghanistan-Pakistan border, the Durand Line, is more than 2,400 km long, the minister said, adding, “It could neither be controlled by 'Changez' nor 'Angrez'... Strength alone cannot control it. If Pakistan wants peace, they have a bigger army and better intelligence - why are they not controlling it? This fight is inside Pakistan. Instead of blaming us, they should control the issues in their territory.”
“Why is Pakistan not taking its people into confidence?” he questioned, adding, “Many people in Pakistan, and certainly we, do not want the fight to continue. But Pakistan should take control of these groups. Why endanger its own people to please a few?..."
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