Afghan FM Muttaqi Accuses Pakistan of Airspace Violations, Unreasonable Demands in Istanbul Talks

New Delhi, Nov 2025 : Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Thursday accused Pakistan of repeatedly violating Afghan airspace and making “unrealistic and unreasonable” demands during recent bilateral talks held in Istanbul. He asserted that Afghanistan would defend its sovereignty if provoked.

In a sharply worded statement, Muttaqi said tensions between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and “certain military circles within Pakistan” have escalated due to Islamabad’s continued breaches of Afghan sovereignty.

“Our airspace and markets were bombed, and even the skies above our capital were violated,” he said, adding that Afghanistan had been left with “no choice but to respond.”

Muttaqi revealed that three rounds of talks — first in Qatar and later in Istanbul — had failed to yield results because Pakistan made “illogical” demands, including assurances that “no security incidents would occur in Pakistan.”

“How can we be responsible for Pakistan’s internal security? Do we control their police or their army?” he asked.

The Afghan minister alleged that Daesh (ISIS) operatives were being trained inside Pakistan to launch attacks in Afghanistan, urging Islamabad to “immediately stop such actions.”

Muttaqi further claimed that Pakistan had proposed relocating Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters into Afghanistan — an idea he rejected as “an invitation to chaos.”

Responding to Islamabad’s repeated accusations that militants were crossing over from Afghan territory, Muttaqi questioned how such movements were possible given Pakistan’s heavily fortified Durand Line. “You have cameras, advanced technology, and hundreds of checkposts. If fighters still cross, why can’t you stop them?” he asked pointedly.

He also accused Pakistan of scapegoating Afghanistan for its domestic instability, saying, “You fought wars with India, had clashes with Iran, and now face unrest with Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan — will you blame all of that on Afghanistan?”

Criticising Pakistan’s recent expulsion of Afghan refugees and the closure of cross-border trade routes, Muttaqi remarked, “A nuclear power is using its might against onions and tomatoes.”

Reaffirming Kabul’s commitment to peaceful relations, the minister said, “Afghanistan’s soil will not be used against anyone. We seek reasonable, practical diplomacy that respects mutual sovereignty.”

He expressed hope that “honourable scholars and politicians in Pakistan” would help de-escalate tensions and restore calm between the two neighbouring Muslim nations.