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Pakistan once again accuses Afghanistan of favoring TTP
The caretaker government of Pakistan has once again accused the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan of favoring and supporting the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Addressing a press conference in Quetta, John Achakzai, Information Minister of Balochistan, expressed his concern about the use of Afghan soil against Pakistan and asked the IEA to hand over terrorists in order to ensure the security of Balochistan and Islamabad.
Achakzai said that Pakistan wants better relations with Afghanistan. Therefore, the IEA should not allow terrorist groups to operate from Afghanistan, he said.
“Pakistan wants better relations with Afghanistan. We hope that no terrorist activities will be allowed from Afghanistan,” said Achakzai.
“We once again ask the Islamic Emirate to hand over the terrorists to us so that peace can be established in Balochistan and Pakistan,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, IEA has repeatedly rejected the claims by Pakistani authorities that TTP is active in Afghanistan and has said that Afghanistan is not obligated to provide Pakistan’s security.
“Afghan soil will not be used against any country including Pakistan and Pakistan should understand and prevent its own problems itself,” said Zabihullah Mujahid, IEA’s spokesman.
“Afghanistan is not responsible for Pakistan’s security,” he stressed.
Relations between Kabul and Islamabad have been tense recently due to the forced deportation of Afghan immigrants from Pakistan and Islamabad’s accusations that Afghans have been involved in recent attacks in that country.
Matiul Haq Khalis, Director General of Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), left for Baku on Friday at the head of an official delegation to participate in the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), a major international gathering focused on sustainable urban development and environmental challenges.
The forum, organized by UN-Habitat, is scheduled to take place from May 17 to 22 in the Azerbaijani capital under the theme “Housing for All: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.”
According to Afghan officials, the delegation will participate in a series of technical meetings and discussions on climate change, environmental protection in urban areas, sustainable development, waste management, green cities, air pollution control and strengthening urban resilience.
The World Urban Forum is regarded as one of the world’s leading platforms on urbanization and environmental policy, bringing together government officials, mayors, international organizations, climate experts and development institutions from across the globe.
On the sidelines of the event, Khalis and accompanying officials are also expected to meet with representatives of international organizations, donor agencies and foreign governments to discuss environmental cooperation, technical support and future joint initiatives.
Afghanistan’s environmental authority described participation in the forum as an important opportunity to expand international engagement, exchange experiences and seek practical solutions to the country’s growing environmental and urban challenges.
The visit comes as Afghanistan faces increasing concerns over climate-related risks, rapid urbanization, air pollution and environmental degradation, issues that officials say require broader regional and international cooperation.
Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), told a U.S. Senate committee on Thursday that Afghanistan remains a major focus for Washington in terms of terrorist activity and regional security threats.
Speaking during a hearing before lawmakers, Cooper said Afghanistan continues to be “on the forefront” of U.S. monitoring efforts regarding militant groups.
“Afghanistan remains on the forefront of what we are watching in terms of terrorist activity,” he told the committee.
The CENTCOM commander added that the United States is working closely with regional partners to contain and suppress potential threats emerging from Afghanistan.
The remarks come as U.S. officials continue to express concerns over the presence of militant groups in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of American forces from the country in 2021.
The Islamic Emirate, however, has denied presence of militant groups in Afghanistan, emphasizing that it will not allow Afghan soil to be used against any other country.
Amir Khan Muttaqi, foreign minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), met on Thursday with Johannes Bruwer, the newly appointed head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and received a copy of his credentials.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that during the meeting, Muttaqi described relations between Afghanistan and the ICRC as historic, congratulated Bruwer on the start of his mission in Afghanistan, wished him success, and assured him of full cooperation in advancing humanitarian efforts.
Muttaqi also praised the services of Katharina Ritz, the outgoing head of the organization, and commended the activities carried out during her mission in Afghanistan. He also wished her success in her future responsibilities.
For his part, Bruwer expressed pleasure over the beginning of his mission in Afghanistan and pledged to continue providing humanitarian services in close coordination with the relevant institutions of the Islamic Emirate during his tenure.
Meanwhile, Ritz thanked the institutions of the Islamic Emirate for their cooperation and support throughout her mission and described her tenure as full of achievements and positive memories.
At the end of the meeting, both sides emphasized the expansion of bilateral cooperation in humanitarian affairs and the strengthening of mutual engagement.
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