Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has claimed that Afghanistan, not Pakistan, is violating the ceasefire settlement between the 2 neighbours, whilst criticism mounts over Islamabad’s inconsistent method towards Kabul and its failure to forestall escalating tensions, Tolonews reported.
Asif insisted that there was a “full consensus” inside Pakistan’s political and navy management on its Afghanistan coverage.
“There exists full unanimity of views amongst all Pakistanis, together with the nation’s political and navy management, concerning Pakistan’s safety insurance policies and its complete method towards Afghanistan,” he stated.
The assertion got here in response to remarks by Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, who accused Pakistan’s navy institution of sabotaging peace efforts. Mujahid stated that whereas Pakistan’s civilian authorities seeks constructive relations with Kabul, its military continues to dictate overseas coverage.
As per Tolonews, he even mocked the Defence Minister’s authority, suggesting that “maybe his mandate is just restricted to what they tweet.”
Mujahid added that Afghanistan didn’t want to confront your entire Pakistani nation over Khawaja Asif’s remarks.
Observers say such contradictory statements from Islamabad expose the widening disconnect between Pakistan’s civilian and navy management. They warn that the confusion might undermine the delicate ceasefire and peace talks already strained by Pakistan’s repeated violations of Afghan airspace and cross-border strikes in Paktika province.
The 2 sides had earlier agreed to a ceasefire in talks held in Doha, adopted by one other spherical in Istanbul the place each delegations reaffirmed their dedication. Nevertheless, analysts observe that Pakistan’s actions on the bottom proceed to gasoline mistrust in Kabul.
A high-level assembly between delegations from each international locations is scheduled for November 6 in Istanbul, however with mutual accusations intensifying, diplomatic progress seems more and more unsure.