Pakistan Expresses Concerns Over India-Afghanistan Joint Statement

Pakistan's Diplomatic Response

Islamabad: On Saturday, Pakistan summoned the Afghan ambassador to express its significant concerns regarding the joint statement made by India and Afghanistan in New Delhi the previous day.

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for a six-day visit.

The Foreign Office (FO) released a statement indicating that the Additional Foreign Secretary for West Asia and Afghanistan communicated Pakistan's strong objections to the Afghan envoy, particularly about the references to Jammu and Kashmir in the joint statement.

The FO emphasized that labeling Jammu and Kashmir as part of India contradicts relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

The joint statement included Afghanistan's condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in April, along with condolences and solidarity with the Indian government and people. Both nations condemned terrorism originating from regional countries, highlighting the need for peace, stability, and mutual trust.

Pakistan also dismissed Muttaqi's claim that terrorism is solely an internal issue for Pakistan.

The statement pointed out that shifting the responsibility for combating terrorism onto Pakistan does not relieve the Afghan Interim Government of its duty to maintain regional peace and stability.

The FO noted Pakistan's long-standing hospitality, having hosted nearly four million Afghans for over forty years. With the return of peace to Afghanistan, Pakistan reiterated the need for unauthorized Afghan nationals in its territory to return home.

"Like any other nation, Pakistan has the right to manage the presence of foreign nationals within its borders," the statement said, adding that Islamabad continues to provide medical and study visas to Afghan citizens in the spirit of Islamic brotherhood and good neighborly relations.

The FO expressed Pakistan's desire for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan, stating that it has facilitated trade, economic ties, and connectivity to enhance socio-economic cooperation between the two countries.

However, it also highlighted Pakistan's responsibility to ensure the safety of its citizens and expects the Afghan government to take decisive actions to prevent its territory from being exploited by terrorist groups targeting Pakistan.