Pakistan waging 'undeclared war of aggression' against Afghanistan, Ghani tells Kabul Process

Published June 6, 2017
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani delivers his speech at an international peace conference.—AFP
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani delivers his speech at an international peace conference.—AFP

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani lashed out at Pakistan at the Kabul Process on Tuesday, alleging that it is waging an "undeclared war of aggression" against Afghanistan.

Issuing a stinging rebuke aimed towards Pakistan before a gathering of 23 nations, the European Union, the United Nations and Nato, Ghani asked: "What will it take to convince Pakistan that a stable Afghanistan helps them and helps our region?"

Ghani's fresh criticism comes as the Kabul Process, a forum for the discussing security and political issues in the country, is underway.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have long accused each other of turning a blind eye to militants operating along their porous border, and both forces exchanged fire over a border dispute last month.

Despite strained bilateral relations, Pakistan is participating in the multinational conference, having sent a two-member Pakistani delegation headed by Additional Secretary UN and Economic Cooperation Tasneem Aslam.

Ghani also issued an ultimatum to the Taliban, calling on the militants to embrace peace or “face consequences”.

“We are offering a chance for peace but this is not an open-ended offer. Time is running out... this is the last chance, take it or face consequences,” Ghani said at the international peace conference in Kabul.

“If Taliban wants to join peace talks, the Afghan government will allow them to open an office, but this is their last chance,” Ghani said.

Talking about the current situation of unrest in the country, the Afghan president said that last week's Kabul truck bombing killed over 150 people, making it deadliest attack since 2001.

Past attempts at peace talks have failed. The Taliban have refused to negotiate with the government until all foreign forces leave, and still refer to themselves as a government in exile, angering authorities in Kabul.

With additional reporting by Sammer Abbas.

Opinion

Editorial

Upholding rights
27 Jul, 2024

Upholding rights

EVEN a perceived threat to civil rights and freedom of expression undermines democracy; it impedes the enforcement ...
Brutal crime
27 Jul, 2024

Brutal crime

THE horrific incident of a woman allegedly gang-raped in front of her husband and three-year-old daughter near...
Back in parliament
27 Jul, 2024

Back in parliament

MORE than two years after MNAs loyal to former prime minister Imran Khan fatefully resigned from the legislature...
Judicial constraints
Updated 26 Jul, 2024

Judicial constraints

The fact that it is being prescribed by the legislature will be questioned, given the political context.
Macabre spectacle
26 Jul, 2024

Macabre spectacle

Israel knows that regardless of the party that wins the presidency, America’s ‘ironclad’ support for its genocidal endeavours will continue.