Pakistan Expresses Hope for a Free and Democratic Afghanistan
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed its desire for the people of Afghanistan to “be free and have a truly democratic government” in an official statement issued on Sunday night. The statement also condemned recent cross-border attacks by the Taliban, attributing them to a joint effort by the Afghan Taliban, the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), and Baloch separatists.
Kokcha News Agency – In a significant shift in diplomatic rhetoric, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs referred to the Taliban as a “regime” in its official statement, marking a departure from previous terms such as “interim government” or “government of Afghanistan.” The statement expressed deep concern over recent cross-border attacks, which it described as an attempt to destabilize the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and contrary to the spirit of cooperation between the two countries.
The Ministry also reacted to remarks made by Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s Foreign Minister, during a press conference in India. Pakistan accused Muttaqi of attempting to divert attention from the presence of “terrorist groups” in Afghanistan.
During his press conference in New Delhi, Muttaqi had stated that “a specific circle is damaging the relations between the two countries,” referring to elements within the Pakistani military. He emphasized that Afghanistan-Pakistan relations should not be sacrificed to the policies of this circle.
Pakistan’s statement reiterated concerns over the presence of terrorist groups on Afghan soil, stating that Islamabad is closely monitoring the situation and will respond firmly to any provocation or further action. The Ministry called on the Taliban to act responsibly, uphold their commitments, and play a constructive role in eradicating terrorism.
