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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday dismissed comments made by Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi during a visit to India, in which he claimed militant violence in Pakistan was Islamabad’s internal matter, saying Kabul had been repeatedly confronted with evidence of anti-Pakistan groups operating from Afghan territory.

Muttaqi is currently in India, where he met his counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in New Delhi ahead of India’s decision to upgrade relations with Afghanistan by reopening its embassy in Kabul.

The two sides issued a joint statement expressing their intent to resume cooperation in areas such as cricket and health care, and to launch an air-freight corridor to boost bilateral trade and connectivity.

Muttaqi’s visit to India came as Afghanistan accused Pakistan of breaching its airspace and bombing a border town, while Islamabad voiced concern about cross-border militancy from Afghan soil.

The Afghan minister said in India Pakistan should not blame Afghanistan for its internal problems, prompting the foreign office to convey its concern over the statement to Kabul’s envoy to Islamabad.

“Pakistan … strongly rejected the Afghan Acting Foreign Minister’s assertion that terrorism is Pakistan’s internal problem,” it said in an official statement.

“Pakistan has repeatedly shared details regarding the presence of Fitna-e-Khawarij and Fitna-e-Hindustan terrorist elements operating from Afghan soil against Pakistan with support from elements within Afghanistan,” the statement added, referring to the Pakistani Taliban and Baloch separatist outfits. “It was emphasized that deflecting the responsibility of controlling terrorism toward Pakistan cannot absolve the Interim Afghan Government of its obligations to ensure peace and stability in the region and beyond.”

The foreign office said it had conveyed its concerns over both Muttaqi’s remarks and elements of the India-Afghanistan joint statement to the Afghan envoy.

It noted that the statement’s reference to Jammu and Kashmir as part of India violated UN Security Council resolutions and ignored the sacrifices and sentiments of its residents.

Pakistan also said the country had hosted nearly four million Afghans for decades and would continue to extend humanitarian and visa facilities “in the spirit of Islamic brotherhood and good neighborly relations.”

It reiterated that Islamabad wanted a peaceful, stable, regionally connected and prosperous Afghanistan, though it expects Kabul to act against militant networks that threaten Pakistan’s security.

ATTACK ON BORDER POSTS

The foreign office statement was followed by reports of attacks from Afghanistan on multiple Pakistani border posts, which security sources said prompted a swift and strong military response from Pakistan.

According to the officials, Afghan forces opened unprovoked fire across several locations along the frontier — including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral and Baramcha in Balochistan — allegedly to facilitate the movement of militants across the border.

Pakistani security sources said troops stationed at border posts responded “with full force,” targeting several Afghan positions and destroying multiple posts in the ensuing exchange.

They also claimed “dozens of Afghan soldiers and militants were killed,” adding that Taliban forces were seen abandoning their positions with “bodies scattered” in the area.

The officials also noted the cross-border aggression took place while the Afghan foreign minister is visiting New Delhi.

India has not formally recognized the Taliban government, though the two countries seem to be re-calibrating relations amid souring Pakistan-Afghanistan ties and India’s concern over China’s growing influence in the region.

Muttaqi, who is on a week-long trip to India, also visited the influential Darul Uloom Deoband seminary, where he was warmly received by thousands of students and teachers.

ISLAMABAD: Police in Pakistan’s eastern province of Punjab said on Saturday nearly 100 personnel have been injured in clashes with supporters of a religio-political party heading to the federal capital, Islamabad, where it plans to stage a protest outside the United States embassy to express solidarity with Palestinians.

The Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) announced its plan earlier this week to march on Islamabad, prompting authorities to raid its headquarters in Lahore to prevent the protest.

Clashes have since been reported in and around Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and other cities, with the party claiming 11 of its supporters have been killed, though there has been no confirmation of casualties from the government, police or rescue officials.

TLP, known for its street mobilization and confrontational politics, has repeatedly staged mass sit-ins and marches to Islamabad since its rise in 2017. Previous protests have often turned violent, resulting in extended clashes with police and days-long disruption of traffic on key highways leading to the capital.

“Nearly 100 officers and personnel of Punjab Police have been brutally assaulted and injured in attacks by Tehreek-e-Labbaik rioters,” the Punjab Police said in a statement posted on social media. “Police vehicles worth millions of rupees have also been damaged, while other government offices and vehicles were attacked, causing losses to the national exchequer.”

The statement questioned the motives behind the group’s “violent and armed demonstrations,” asking what purpose they served if not to destroy public order, create problems for citizens and damage state property.

It noted a Gaza ceasefire had already been reached, adding: “When Muslims in Gaza are celebrating peace and thanking God, who are the TLP supporters in Pakistan representing by wreaking havoc here?”

Local media reported the TLP march had reached Muridke on Saturday afternoon, with supporters continuing attempts to move toward the capital despite heavy roadblocks.

According to an AFP report, TLP leaders said the protest was initially called to oppose the Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, backed by Pakistan, but was now intended solely to express solidarity with Palestinians.

“We have no demands apart from showing solidarity with the people of Gaza,” senior TLP member Allama Muhammad Irfan told AFP. “We have no idea when we will reach Islamabad, but the government is being brutal with us. We are not negotiating with the government at all.”

Deputy Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry said a day earlier authorities would not allow the protesters to enter the capital.

“There is no room for any radical activity in Islamabad,” he told reporters. “Why is an agreement that is acceptable to Hamas and Palestine not acceptable to you?”