https://arab.news/nj53q
- Development takes place as both neighbors traded fire along their shared border this week
- Pakistan says ceasefire with Kabul applies to attacks from Afghan forces and militants based there
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson on Thursday blamed Afghanistan for “serious” ceasefire breaches, as tensions rise after fierce fighting between the neighbors resumed this week.
Heavy exchanges of fire between Pakistani security and Afghan Taliban forces took place this week as both sides blamed each other for initiating attacks. Afghanistan accused Pakistan of targeting civilian sites, including a university in Kunar, on Sunday. Islamabad dismissed the allegations and accused Afghan forces of resorting to “unprovoked aggression” along their shared border.
Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of sheltering militants who carry out attacks in Pakistan. Kabul denies the allegations and says its soil is not used for attacks on third countries. The latest fighting upended a Qatari-mediated ceasefire in October that had halted earlier clashes between the neighbors. In March, both countries said they would pause fighting ahead of the Muslim festival of Eid Al-Fitr.
Speaking to reporters at a weekly press briefing, Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the ceasefire agreement with Afghanistan should not be seen as a “traditional” agreement between the two sides, alleging that the Afghan authorities were also involved in the assaults.
“These are, in fact, more serious breaches of the ceasefire because the direct Afghan authorities of the Afghan regime are involved in these attacks,” he said.
He said Pakistan interpreted the ceasefire with Afghanistan as an end to all attacks from Afghanistan, including ones carried out by “terrorist” organizations and armed groups.
“So, for us to say that the ceasefire is holding means that the fire will cease, whether it is from Afghan forces, whether it is from armed groups that are operating in Afghanistan under patronage or you refer to the incidents of elsewhere,” he said.
Pakistan has seen a surge in militant attacks on its territory since the Afghan Taliban seized power in Kabul in 2021. Islamabad blames the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) group for most attacks, accusing Kabul of providing sanctuary to its members. Kabul rejects these allegations.
China has mediated between both sides in an effort to end the conflict. Talks between representatives of Pakistan, China and Afghanistan were held in Urumqi earlier this month. Beijing said both sides had agreed not to escalate tensions during the talks.
However, Pakistan’s military said earlier this month that it would continue strikes against militants operating from Afghan soil until their safe havens are fully eliminated.