Afghan Taliban says problems with Pakistan can be resolved through diplomacy

KABUL, Oct 5 (Reuters) – Problems affecting relations between neighbours Afghanistan and Pakistan can be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said on Monday. 

• Instead of seeking “political understanding”, Pakistan’s powerful military uses only military language in relations with Afghanistan and has carried out aggression in violation of international laws, he said

• Pakistan has turned transit routes, refugees and students into instruments of pressure, and gathered thousands of armed men near the border to challenge stability, Muttaqi added

• Afghanistan neither wants problems with Pakistan to become “a field of mutual accusations and propaganda”, nor seeks “new means of prolonging it”, he said

• But Kabul considers self-defence against any aggression to be its legitimate and undeniable right, Muttaqi added

• Pakistan’s foreign ministry, military and Prime Minister’s Office did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment

• The comments, made at an event in Russia, came at a time when military tensions between the friends-turned-foes have spiralled

• The neighbours have been at odds over militancy, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of harbouring militants who stage cross-border attacks

• The Taliban government denies the charge and says militancy is Pakistan’s internal problem

(Reporting by Mohammad Yunus Yawar, Writing by Hritam Mukherjee; Editing by YP Rajesh)