Pakistan Summons Afghan Ambassador Over Taliban-India Joint Statement on Kashmir
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday, October 10, that it has summoned Afghanistan’s ambassador to Islamabad to express a “strong protest” regarding a joint statement issued between the Taliban administration and the Indian government.
This move by Islamabad came after Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting Foreign Minister of the Taliban administration, embarked on a six-day visit to New Delhi, where he held meetings with Indian officials. In the joint final statement of these meetings, both sides expressed concern over terrorist attacks in the Indian-administered Kashmir region and declared solidarity. The statement recognized Kashmir as part of Indian territory.
Pakistan reacted strongly to this section of the statement, declaring that such remarks violate United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning the status of Kashmir. Islamabad also stated that attempts by the Taliban administration to legitimize India’s claims over Kashmir are unacceptable.
Continuing their protests, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry strongly rejected Amir Khan Muttaqi’s claim that “terrorism is an internal issue of Pakistan.” Islamabad emphasized that the Taliban administration cannot shirk its international commitments to regional stability by shifting responsibilities onto others.
Pakistan further noted that having hosted millions of Afghan refugees for several decades, it reserves the right to establish regulations regarding the residency of foreign nationals on its soil. Nevertheless, it pledged to continue issuing medical and educational visas to Afghan citizens in the spirit of good neighborliness and Islamic brotherhood.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs underscored that while Pakistan facilitates economic and social cooperation between the two countries, it expects the Taliban administration to take practical steps to prevent terrorist groups from using Afghan territory against Pakistan.
