Pakistan rejects Afghanistan's 'baseless' allegations on Kandahar attack

Published
59
Foreign Office spokesperson says no hard evidence or intelligence has been shared with Pakistan to substantiate Afghan claims. —PID
Foreign Office spokesperson says no hard evidence or intelligence has been shared with Pakistan to substantiate Afghan claims. —PID

Pakistan on Wednesday rejected Kabul's "baseless" and "unfounded allegations" regarding a recent attack in Kandahar, in which three top Afghan officials were killed when their own guards opened fire on them.

The FO's comments come a day after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani alleged that the attack on slain Kandahar police commander Gen Abdul Raziq was planned in Pakistan, Tolo News reported.

"I want to say that this conspiracy was plotted in Pakistan. So Pakistan should give us the criminals so that we can bring them to justice," Ghani claimed.

A Foreign Office (FO) statement, without referring to specific statements, said: "Pakistan rejects baseless and unfounded allegations regarding the latest Kandahar attacks. No hard evidence or intelligence-related information has been shared to date with Pakistan to substantiate such claims."

The FO pointed out that "it would have been more appropriate to invoke the relevant arrangement" under the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Stability "to mutually and effectively address and investigate any such unfortunate incidents... instead of resorting to media blame game which is contrary to the seven principles of cooperation agreed between the two sides earlier this year."

A Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi who claimed responsibility for the Oct 18 attack earlier told The Associated Press that United States Gen Scott Miller, commander of US and Nato troops in Afghanistan — who had escaped the attack unharmed — was the intended target.

Following the attack, the Pakistan government had condemned the violence just days before the Afghan election.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had expressed condolences to President Ghani, the families of the victims and the people of Afghanistan recognising that "peace and security of Pakistan is inextricably linked to peace and security in Afghanistan".

Moreover, military spokesperson Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor had tweeted a statement of condemnation on behalf of Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa which expressed a desire to see security forces bring an end to "this prolonged violence in Afghanistan".

The army chief assured support in all initiatives towards that end.

Opinion

Editorial

Kashmir unresolved
Updated 30 Sep, 2026

Kashmir unresolved

The just solution lies in India addressing the issue through a trilateral dialogue involving the legitimate representatives of the Kashmiri people and Pakistan.
Water shortage
30 Sep, 2026

Water shortage

THAT the country is entering the Rabi season with an anticipated water shortage of nearly 25pc, the lowest carryover...
Young hearts
30 Sep, 2026

Young hearts

THE observance may have passed, but the message of World Heart Day should not fade with it. The occasion is a useful...
Terror and politics
Updated 29 Sep, 2026

Terror and politics

There is an urgent need to tone down the rhetoric and tackle terrorism as a collective challenge for both the affected provinces and the federation.
Watching the glaciers
29 Sep, 2026

Watching the glaciers

THE latest signs from Pakistan’s mountains are worrying. Suparco says the number of unfrozen glacial lakes it...
Dangerous agenda
29 Sep, 2026

Dangerous agenda

AS the world remains fixated on the US-Iran conflict, elsewhere in the Middle East, Israel is consolidating its grip...