Afghanistan has lodged a formal protest with Pakistan over the remarks of Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, what Kabul described as an "irresponsible" statement about the "internal affairs of Afghanistan". The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul said in a statement that it had submitted a formal protest with Pakistan through its embassy in Kabul about the recent remarks by Foreign Minister Qureshi.

"The government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan strongly condemned the recent remarks made by Pakistan's foreign minister on the domestic affairs of Afghanistan," it stated in the statement, adding: "The Government of Afghanistan believes that relying on policy of good neighbourhood, Pakistan needs to take practical steps towards enhancing bilateral ties in various areas and refrain from making such "irresponsible" statements regarding the internal affairs of Afghanistan".

"Such statements can only lead to creating an environment of distrust and cannot be effective in enhancing the relationship between the two counties. Unless and until such statements are avoided, taking steps towards consolidating bilateral relations will not be feasible," it added.

Qureshi, earlier through a statement in the day, urged the leadership and the Taliban to show flexibility on the issue of releasing the prisoners as agreed in the US-Taliban peace deal signed in Doha on February 29, 2020.