Taliban attack at India's behest... Pakistani PM Shahbaz blames Delhi, appeals for talks

Pakistan has blamed India for the military conflict with Afghanistan. Shahbaz Sharif has directly stated that India's influence within the Taliban regime is the cause of the conflict.

Islamabad : Pakistan has blamed India for the ongoing conflict with Afghanistan. Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has claimed that the Taliban regime attacked Pakistan at India's behest. The Pakistani PM linked this conflict to the recent visit of Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to India. Sharif said that the attack on Pakistan took place while the Taliban Foreign Minister was in India. "In such a situation, we were forced to issue a comprehensive response," Sharif said. Prior to Sharif, Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif had also stated that India was behind the Afghan Taliban attacks on his country.

Regarding the conflict with Afghanistan, Shahbaz Sharif said, "Pakistani officials visited Kabul several times in recent months. Pakistan insisted on cordial dialogue to resolve issues through mutual agreement. However, despite all efforts, things did not lead to peace. Taliban forces carried out this attack on Pakistan at India's instigation. Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Muttaqi was in New Delhi when the attack took place. This shows where this was coming from."

We are ready to talk

Shahbaz Sharif has said his government is ready to hold talks with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan on reasonable terms. Speaking at a federal cabinet meeting on Thursday regarding the Pakistan-Afghanistan border tensions, Sharif said a temporary 48-hour ceasefire is in place between the two countries. The ball is now in the Taliban regime's court for a permanent ceasefire.

Shahbaz Sharif stated that Afghanistan has consistently attacked its territory, but has maintained patience. Sharif added that patience had run out after recent events, forcing Pakistan to launch a massive retaliatory strike. Sharif attempted to corner the Taliban, saying, "We offered a message of peace but were constantly betrayed by the other side."

We sent our ministers to Kabul

Shahbaz Sharif said, "Pakistan sent a clear message by sending our Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, and other senior officials to Kabul. We have consistently stated that we want peace, and our stance remains the same today. Despite this, if attackers emerge from across the Afghan border, we will respond strongly."

Fierce clashes have been witnessed along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan over the past week. The Taliban has claimed the deaths of 58 Pakistani soldiers and the capture of several military posts. Following this Taliban attack, the Pakistani government has been continuously targeting India. Pakistan claims that Delhi is behind the tensions.

PC:NBT