Pakistan has formally lodged a diplomatic protest with Afghanistan over the recent India-Afghanistan joint statement, expressing strong objections to references concerning Jammu and Kashmir and remarks about terrorism, The Times of India reports.
The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Afghanistan’s Ambassador in Islamabad to convey its concerns. A statement issued by the ministry highlighted two primary issues according to the report: the characterisation of Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of India, and Afghan Foreign Minister Muttaqi’s comment on terrorism being “an internal problem of Pakistan.”
Pakistan contends that the joint statement's reference to Jammu and Kashmir contradicts United Nations Security Council resolutions and undermines the region's disputed status. The foreign office emphasised that such language is deeply insensitive to locals in the region deemed illegally occupied by India in Islamabad.
On the terrorism issue, Islamabad rejected Minister Muttaqi’s comments, asserting that Pakistan has consistently shared information about terrorist elements operating from Afghan soil against Pakistan, allegedly with support from elements within Afghanistan. The statement further noted that dismissing terrorism as an "internal matter" does not absolve Afghanistan of its responsibility to ensure regional peace and security.