The interim rulers of Afghanistan signed the Doha agreementlinkwiththe United States, not Pakistan, Taliban government spokesman ZabihullahMujahid said on Saturday. His reaction came after Defence Minister KhawajaAsif’s accusations pertaining to the use of Afghan soil by militants forcross border terrorism.
“We have signed the Doha agreement with America,” Mujahid told *BBC Pashto* inan interview. He reiterated that Afghanistan’s territory “is not usedagainst Pakistan and Pakistan is a brother and Muslim country” and theinterim government treated the neighbouring country in that way.
He was asked about Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s accusationsthat the Afghan Taliban was not abiding by the Doha agreement signed threeyears, which included four parts.
Part of the pactlinksays:“guarantees to prevent the use of Afghan soil by any internationalterrorist groups or individuals against the security of the United Statesand its allies.”
Earlier in the day, Asif said that Afghanistan has become a safe haven forthe terrorists involved in the killings of innocent Pakistani citizens. Hisreaction came a day after the army voiced concernslinkoverthe “sanctuaries” of the outlawed TTP in Afghanistan.
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He tweeted that Afghanistan was not “holding to its promises” made in theDoha Agreement. The defence minister went on to add that Pakistan has beenhosting around six million Afghan refugees for the last five decades whilethe terrorists were allegedly offered hideouts in the neighbouring country.
“This situation cannot continue any longer. Pakistan will use all itsresources to protect its land and citizens, God willing,” he said.
But Mujahid reiterated that the interim government would take steps if thePakistani government shares evidence with him. Over the past many months,both sides have held many meetings where the foreign ministry hasreiterated concerns.
