Afghan Taliban government strongly hits back over statement of Pakistani Defence minister
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The interim rulers of Afghanistan signed the Doha agreement link with the United States, not Pakistan, Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Saturday. His reaction came after Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s accusations pertaining to the use of Afghan soil by militants for cross border terrorism.
“We have signed the Doha agreement with America,” Mujahid told *BBC Pashto* in an interview. He reiterated that Afghanistan’s territory “is not used against Pakistan and Pakistan is a brother and Muslim country” and the interim government treated the neighbouring country in that way.
He was asked about Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s accusations that the Afghan Taliban was not abiding by the Doha agreement signed three years, which included four parts.
Part of the pact link says: “guarantees to prevent the use of Afghan soil by any international terrorist groups or individuals against the security of the United States and its allies.”
Earlier in the day, Asif said that Afghanistan has become a safe haven for the terrorists involved in the killings of innocent Pakistani citizens. His reaction came a day after the army voiced concerns link over the “sanctuaries” of the outlawed TTP in Afghanistan.
He tweeted that Afghanistan was not “holding to its promises” made in the Doha Agreement. The defence minister went on to add that Pakistan has been hosting around six million Afghan refugees for the last five decades while the terrorists were allegedly offered hideouts in the neighbouring country.
“This situation cannot continue any longer. Pakistan will use all its resources to protect its land and citizens, God willing,” he said.
But Mujahid reiterated that the interim government would take steps if the Pakistani government shares evidence with him. Over the past many months, both sides have held many meetings where the foreign ministry has reiterated concerns.
