ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has strongly rejected Afghan Taliban government’s allegations regarding its involvement in clashes in Nuristan and termed such allegations as baseless and false.
In a statement issued here on Sunday, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said neither Pakistan nor its security forces and intelligence agencies were involved in the fighting in Nuristan or anywhere else inside Afghanistan.
The ministry also rejected allegations that Pakistan had recruited or trained former Afghan government officials or facilitated any terrorist group, including Islamic State.
It said no verifiable evidence had been presented to support the allegations against Pakistan. According to the ministry, no identities, documents, communication records or forensic evidence had been provided to establish Pakistan’s involvement. The ministry also said a video circulating on social media allegedly in connection with the incident did not establish any link to Pakistan.
It pointed to repeated United Nations reports regarding the presence and activities of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, saying such groups operating from Afghan soil pose a threat to Pakistan and regional security. The ministry said it was surprising that the Taliban government, which Pakistan accused of providing shelter to terrorists, was blaming Pakistan for supporting terrorism.
It urged the Afghan authorities to address their internal security problems and take stern action against terrorist groups instead of placing responsibility on Pakistan. The ministry also called on the Taliban government to fulfil its commitment that Afghan territory would not be used for terrorism against Pakistan or any other country.
The statement further criticised what it described as the Taliban government’s non-inclusive and non-representative system, saying such allegations also appeared aimed at diverting attention from internal differences and restrictions affecting women, children and minorities.
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