Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi sided with Prime Minister Imran Khan after his statement linking Afghanistan's situation to 'corruption' committed by previous governments sparked backlash in Afghanistan. Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai had lashed out at PM Khan for blaming the previous governments for the country's issues.
The PM had expressed these views while addressing the 17th session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's Council (OIC) of Foreign Ministers held in Islamabad on Sunday. Khan also said that the Afghan soil posed a threat to Pakistan in terms of Islamic State (IS)'s presence.
Karzai strongly reacted to the PM's statements and said that he was trying to sow discord among Afghans, adding that his remarks were an insult to the Afghan people.
Taking to Twitter, he said Pakistan must not carry out propagating against Afghanistan and stop "interfering in our internal affairs”.
“Pakistan should avoid speaking on behalf of Afghanistan [on] international forums. It should work towards creating positive and civilised relations between the two countries," Karzai said.
Further, Karzai denied the "allegation" that the Islamic State was active in the country was a threat to neighbouring Pakistan. He termed it a "clear propaganda as the reality has been the opposite".
Snubbing Karzai, Taliban Foreign Minister Muttaqi said that there was nothing offensive about Imran Khan's statement.
He spoke to reporters after returning to Kabul from Islamabad, where he had come to attend the OIC's session on Afghanistan. The FM said that Khan's statement needed no response from Afghanistan. He went on to term the conference 'positive', saying that it will have positive outcomes.
The PM had expressed these views while addressing the 17th session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's Council (OIC) of Foreign Ministers held in Islamabad on Sunday. Khan also said that the Afghan soil posed a threat to Pakistan in terms of Islamic State (IS)'s presence.
Karzai strongly reacted to the PM's statements and said that he was trying to sow discord among Afghans, adding that his remarks were an insult to the Afghan people.
Taking to Twitter, he said Pakistan must not carry out propagating against Afghanistan and stop "interfering in our internal affairs”.
“Pakistan should avoid speaking on behalf of Afghanistan [on] international forums. It should work towards creating positive and civilised relations between the two countries," Karzai said.
Further, Karzai denied the "allegation" that the Islamic State was active in the country was a threat to neighbouring Pakistan. He termed it a "clear propaganda as the reality has been the opposite".
Snubbing Karzai, Taliban Foreign Minister Muttaqi said that there was nothing offensive about Imran Khan's statement.
He spoke to reporters after returning to Kabul from Islamabad, where he had come to attend the OIC's session on Afghanistan. The FM said that Khan's statement needed no response from Afghanistan. He went on to term the conference 'positive', saying that it will have positive outcomes.