ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office explained on Wednesday that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s remarks about an interim arrangement in Afghanistan were reported “out of context in the media” and decried the Afghan government and US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad’s reactions as “unwarranted”.

“PM Imran Khan’s comments on Afghanistan have been reported out of context in the media, leading to unwarranted reaction from various quarters,” the FO said in a clarification issued more than 24 hours after the prime minister’s statement was published.

An English-language national daily, The Express Tribune, had reported that PM Khan, while talking to reporters in his office, said: “The Afghan peace process can only be successful if there is a neutral interim government, which can hold free and transparent elections to be participated by all the stakeholders.”

Kabul, US special envoy’s ‘unwarranted’ reaction to Imran’s comments about interim set-up in Afghanistan decried

The Afghan government in protest over the prime minister’s comments called back its ambassador in Islamabad Atif Mashal for consultations and summoned a senior Pakistani diplomat to the foreign ministry in Kabul for receiving protest.

“I have been called back by my government for consultation and in protest to the remarks by PM of Pakistan in relation to formation of a new interim government which is a clear attempt of interference in internal affairs of Afghanistan,” Amb Mashal tweeted.

US Special Envoy for Afghan Peace and Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad personally criticised Mr Khan for undermining peace efforts in Afghanistan by making such statements. In his Twitter posting, he said: “While Pakistan has made constructive contributions on the Afghan Peace Process, PM Khan’s comments did not. The future of Afghanistan is for Afghans, and only Afghans, to decide. The role of the international community is to encourage Afghans to come together so they can do so.”

Mr Khalilzad on March 25 embarked on yet another international tour as part of which he would also visit Islamabad and during which he will discuss efforts for facilitating the initiation of an intra-Afghan dialogue.

The official response seems to be a late consideration for laying the controversy to rest. Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari had immediately dismissed Amb Khalilzad’s protest saying: “This (criticism is) from a man who’s President is busy breaking all international norms, UN Resolutions and international law by supporting Israel’s illegal annexation of Golan Heights (even your major European allies have rejected this position)! PM Khan’s governmentt has given Afghan peace process critical support!”

It should be recalled that a similar assertion by Mr Khan on March 15 at a public gathering in Bajaur had drawn a strong reaction from Kabul. Mr Khan had on that occasion said: “A good government will be established in Afghanistan, a government where all Afghans will be represented. The war will end and peace will be established there.”

The FO explained that the prime minister had in his conversation referred to Pakistan’s model where elections are held under an interim government. “The comments should not be misinterpreted to imply interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs,” the FO insisted.

“Pakistan has no other interest in Afghanistan but to promote peace through an ‘Afghan owned’ and ‘Afghan led’ political process,” it added.

Clarifying Mr Khan’s contributions for peace in Afghanistan, the FO said: “The prime minister of Pakistan has taken personal interest in facilitating the ongoing political reconciliation process and the same must not be misconstrued to undermine the sincere efforts of Pakistan or to create misunderstandings at this crucial stage of the process.”

“Prime Minister of Pakistan understands the plight of brave people of Afghanistan, who have a right to live in peace after four decades of violence and war,” it further said.

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2019