New Delhi, Nov 13 (NationPress) Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Thursday criticized Pakistan for its persistent violations of Afghan airspace and for making “unrealistic and unreasonable” demands during the latest diplomatic discussions in Istanbul, emphasizing that Afghanistan will safeguard its sovereignty if provoked.

In a forthright speech, FM Muttaqi noted that tensions between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and “specific military factions in Pakistan” have escalated due to Islamabad’s ongoing infringement on Afghan sovereignty.

“Our airspace and markets were bombarded, and the skies over our capital were infringed upon,” he asserted, stating that Afghanistan had “no option but to react.”

Muttaqi mentioned that three rounds of discussions — initially in Qatar followed by Istanbul — were unsuccessful because Pakistan insisted that Kabul ensure “no security incidents would happen in Pakistan.”

“How can we be accountable for Pakistan’s domestic security? Do we oversee their police or military?” he questioned, labeling the demand as “irrational.”

The Afghan minister claimed that Daesh (ISIS) operatives are being trained within Pakistan to launch attacks on Afghanistan and urged Islamabad to “cease such activities.”

He also accused Pakistan of proposing the relocation of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters to Afghanistan — an idea he rejected as “creating disorder.”

In response to Pakistani assertions about militants crossing from Afghanistan, Muttaqi challenged how such movements could occur given Pakistan’s heavily fortified and monitored Durand Line. “You possess technology, cameras, and numerous checkpoints. If fighters still traverse, why can’t you prevent them?” he questioned.

He charged Pakistan with attributing its internal instability, economic difficulties, and political crises to Afghanistan, stating, “You have fought wars with India, faced clashes with Iran, and now encounter unrest with Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan — will you hold Afghanistan accountable for all that?”

Muttaqi condemned Pakistan’s expulsion of Afghan refugees and the blockade of trade routes, commenting that “a nuclear power is leveraging its strength against onions and tomatoes.”

Reiterating Kabul’s stance, he stated, “Afghanistan’s land will not be utilized against anyone,” and advocated for “sensible, pragmatic diplomacy.”

Muttaqi also expressed hope that “respected scholars and leaders in Pakistan” would assist in restoring peace between the two neighboring Muslim nations.