Current:Home > ContactTaliban reject Pakistani claims of unlawful structures, indiscriminate firing at key border crossing -VitalWealth Strategies
Taliban reject Pakistani claims of unlawful structures, indiscriminate firing at key border crossing
View
Date:2025-04-16 23:04:51
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban on Tuesday rejected Pakistani government accusations that they’re to blame for the closure of a key border crossing.
Pakistan shut the vital commercial artery of Torkham in its northwest last Wednesday after guards from the two countries exchanged fire.
A Foreign Ministry spokesperson in Islamabad on Monday accused the Taliban of building unlawful structures and indiscriminate and unprovoked firing. The spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, also repeated claims that Afghanistan allows its soil to be used for terror attacks on Pakistan.
The two countries have been trading blame for months over border issues and militancy.
Baloch’s remarks have infuriated the Taliban, with one ministry official calling the Pakistani government “impotent” because it cannot guarantee the country’s security.
The Taliban-led Aghan Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani said such incidents happen at borders. “In this case, we did not attack,” he told The Associated Press. “When we were attacked, we defended ourselves and this is our right. It is a matter of regret that Pakistan has not been able to ensure its security and is putting its problems on Afghans, that we are interfering. This is the reason for their impotence, they cannot ensure their own security.”
Bilal Karimi, the deputy spokesman for the Taliban administration, also condemned the Pakistani Foreign Ministry remarks. He said Pakistan’s internal problems are its own, and that their causes and roots should be found within Pakistan.
“Our responsibility is to ensure security in our country and not attract security threats,” he told the AP. “We hope the focus will be on good neighborliness and the economy. The door of good relations should be open.”
Leaders from both sides have been meeting to resolve the closure and put hostilities on ice.
Torkham witnessed clashes in February and the town remained closed for several days after the two sides accused each other of trying to build new posts along the border.
Afghanistan has never recognized the porous border that runs through the Pashtun heartland and dilutes the power of the country’s largest ethnic group on both sides.
Pakistan says it has completed fencing along 97% of the border to stop attacks and smuggling.
veryGood! (5928)
Related
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Son of Sam serial killer David Berkowitz denied parole after 12th board appearance
- Former mayor of South Dakota town charged in shooting deaths of 3 men
- Kathie Lee Gifford recalls Howard Stern asking for forgiveness after feud
- Jamaica's Kishane Thompson more motivated after thrilling 100m finish against Noah Lyles
- A `gustnado’ churns across a Michigan lake. Experts say these small whirlwinds rarely cause damage
- NYC man accused of randomly punching strangers is indicted on hate-crimes charges
- Watch Messi, Jimmy Butler in funny 'Bad Boys' movie promo with Will Smith, Martin Lawrence
- Man charged with murder in death of beloved Detroit-area neurosurgeon
- How Blac Chyna and Boyfriend Derrick Milano Celebrated Their First Anniversary
Ranking
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- The famous 'Home Alone' house is for sale: See inside the revamped home listed at $5.25 million
- Rick Carlisle shares story about how Bill Walton secured all-access Grateful Dead passes
- The small town life beckons for many as Americans continue to flee big cities
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- City of Lafayette names Paul Trouard as interim chief for its police department
- Father of North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore dies at 75
- Melinda French Gates announces $1 billion donation to support women and families, including reproductive rights
Recommendation
Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
As federal parent PLUS loan interest rate soars, why it may be time to go private
RHOC's Heather Dubrow Teases Shannon Beador, Alexis Bellino, John Janssen Love Triangle Drama
Watch Messi, Jimmy Butler in funny 'Bad Boys' movie promo with Will Smith, Martin Lawrence
Jamaica's Kishane Thompson more motivated after thrilling 100m finish against Noah Lyles
How one school district is turning to AI to solve its bus driver shortage
RHOC's Heather Dubrow Teases Shannon Beador, Alexis Bellino, John Janssen Love Triangle Drama
Former California water official pleads guilty to conspiring to steal water from irrigation canal