Muttaqi: Targeting Women, Children ‘Neither Courage Nor Manliness’

Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting foreign minister, referring to Pakistan’s deadly attacks on Paktika province, said Afghans will not forget aggression against their homeland.

Speaking at an event marking the 45th anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Muttaqi stressed that countries that humiliate Afghanistan should learn lessons from Britain, the Soviet Union, and NATO.

The acting Foreign minister urged Pakistan to adopt a measured policy towards Afghanistan.

Muttaqi said: “We send this message to Pakistan’s officials: it is no achievement to martyr children. You martyred women and elders and destroyed homes. This is neither courage nor manliness. Even the people of Waziristan have become refugees because of you.”

Meanwhile, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the political deputy prime minister, stated at the graduation ceremony of Kabul University students that the Islamic Emirate does not allow armed groups to operate on its soil. He said that baseless accusations against Afghanistan not only yield no benefits but also worsen relations and provoke violence.

Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, shared Mawlawi Abdul Kabir’s remarks, stating: “He emphasized that the Islamic Emirate does not allow armed groups to operate in Afghanistan. Mawlawi Abdul Kabir considered false accusations against Afghanistan a cause for deteriorating relations.”

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) also reacted to Pakistan’s attacks, stating that it had received credible reports of dozens of civilian casualties, including women and children, in the airstrikes conducted by Pakistani forces in Paktika province.

In a statement, UNAMA said: UNAMA received credible reports that dozens of civilians, including women and children, were killed in airstrikes by Pakistan’s military forces in Paktika province.”

“This attack proved that Pakistan adheres to neither Islamic nor diplomatic principles. Witnesses confirm that in this attack, innocent and defenseless people, including a large number of women and children, were martyred,” Abdul Sadiq Hamidzoi, a political analyst, told .

Meanwhile, as Pakistani airstrikes targeted Barmal district in Paktika province, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry stated that it had faced some incidents at border crossings with Afghanistan. However, Pakistan’s primary concerns remain terrorism threats, drought, and internal issues in Afghanistan, which continue to be part of the bilateral agenda.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, stated: “We have had some incidents on the border with Afghanistan. Pakistan’s major concern on terror hideouts and sanctuaries inside Afghanistan remained high on our bilateral agenda. We remain engaged with Afghan authorities on all issues.”

Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Pakistan’s acting ambassador was summoned to the ministry  in Kabul (Wednesday) over Pakistan’s airstrikes on Barmal district and other parts of Paktika province. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the acting ambassador was told that the protection of national sovereignty is a red line for the Islamic Emirate and that such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences.