The recent battle between Afghan security forces and Taliban in Ghazni has once again fuelled tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan with Afghan authorities alleging that dozens of Pakistani nationals were among more than 400 militants killed in fierce battles in its southeastern province.
Pakistan rejected the allegations as 'malicious propaganda' and asked the Afghan government to share evidence of any involvement of Pakistani nationals in the fighting as well as of medical treatment provided to the injured militants in the country's hospitals.
"Pakistan strongly rejects reports alleging that some Taliban fighters involved in the Ghazni attack were offered medical treatment in Pakistani hospitals... Afghanistan has not officially shared any information or evidence with Pakistan in this regard", said Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal on Saturday while responding to the allegations levelled by Afghan authorities.
He further stated: "In the absence of official communications through regular channels established bilaterally, such reports cannot be given any credence, and can only be viewed as malicious propaganda to vitiate the existing cooperation between the two countries".
Afghan authorities on Thursday claimed that dozens of Pakistani nationals were among more than 400 militants killed in the five-day fighting between Afghan security forces and the Taliban fighters in Ghazni province which ended last Wednesday.
"During the Taliban attack in Ghazni province, over 400 terrorists were killed, including 70 Pakistani nationals whose bodies are ready to be transferred to Pakistan in Jahangir Bazar, a local market located between Muqur and Gelan districts", Wahidullah Kalimzai, governor of Ghazni province was quoted by Afghan media as stating.
On Friday, Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, while expressing deep concern over recent surge in violence inside Afghanistan and loss of precious lives, rejected the allegations of any support by Pakistan to terror activities in Afghanistan.
However, there are scores of Pakistanis working in Afghanistan in connection with various businesses/labour who periodically fall victim to terrorism acts alongside their Afghan brothers inside Afghanistan, he added.
"Terming such victims as terrorists is unfortunate. Moreover, different factions of TTP, hiding in many sanctuaries inside Afghanistan under Afghan identities on becoming injured/ dead are transported into Pakistan for medical help. Additionally, Afghan refugees and their relatives also resort to similar practices", the Army chief further said.
He also reiterated his commitment to Afghan president for implementing all measures which could facilitate peace in Afghanistan. However, he re-emphasized that Afghanistan needs to look inward as the problem resides inside Afghanistan.
Afghan government has been accusing Pakistan since long of supporting the Taliban, especially the Haqqani network. Pakistan, however, has always rejected these charges. In April this year, the two sides agreed to give an end to the blame-game and resolve all the issues in the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Stability (APAPPS).
"Afghan authorities have time and again accused Pakistan of sponsoring terrorism in Afghanistan after every terror incident. The two sides need to use established mechanisms to discuss such issues instead of indulging in any blame-game", said Lieutenant-General Talat Masood (retd), senior analyst.
He said there are a lot of expectations that Prime Minister Imran Khan would give special attention to improve relations with the rest of the world especially with the neighbouring countries including Afghanistan and India. "As far as Afghanistan is concerned, there are expectations from Pakistan to play its due role in restoration of peace. For this purpose, the two sides have to end the blame game and take practical steps for restoration of mutual trust", he urged.
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