ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Sunday that Afghanistan’s allegations of Islamabad allowing US drones to use its airspace were “highly regrettable”, cautioning Kabul that such statements defy the norms of “responsible diplomatic conduct.”
Afghanistan’s Acting Minister of Defense, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, told reporters at a news conference in Kabul American drones have been entering Afghanistan via Pakistan. In a message to Pakistan, Yaqoob urged Islamabad to not “use your airspace against us.”
A US drone strike last month killed Al-Qaeda chief Ayman Al-Zawahiri in his Kabul hideout. Taliban reacted to reports of Zawahiri’s killing by stating that an investigation was underway to verify the militant’s death.
Pakistan’s military and government have said the country’s soil was not used to carry out the drone strike. In a press release on Sunday, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it has noted “with deep concern” the Afghan official’s statement.
“In the absence of any evidence, as acknowledged by the Afghan Minister himself, such conjectural allegations are highly regrettable and defy the norms of responsible diplomatic conduct,” Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesperson said.
“Pakistan reaffirms its belief in the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states and condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” it added.
The ministry urged Afghanistan to ensure it fulfilled the international commitments it had made and not allow its territory to be used for militancy against any country.
Pakistan says Afghanistan’s accusations of allowing US drones to use airspace ‘highly regrettable’
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Pakistan says Afghanistan’s accusations of allowing US drones to use airspace ‘highly regrettable’
- Afghanistan’s acting defense minister said US drones have been entering country through Pakistan
- Islamabad tells Kabul allegations without evidence defy “norms of responsible diplomatic conduct”
