Pakistan dismisses Taliban's allegations of allowing US use its airspace for drone strike on al-Zawahiri

Islamabad: Pakistan has rejected allegations by the Taliban’s acting defence minister about the use of its airspace by the United States for drone attacks in Afghanistan, saying his remarks were highly regrettable and defied the norms of responsible diplomatic conduct.

The allegations were made by Mohammad Yaqoob on Sunday, nearly a month after al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed by a missile fired from a CIA drone against his hideout in central Kabul on 31 July.

The attack was the first known strike by the US on a target in Afghanistan since Washington withdrew its forces from the war-torn country on 31 August 2021.

More from World

Netanyahu accuses Hamas leaders of derailing ceasefire, says eliminating them in Qatar could end Gaza war $165bn in tariff revenue: Stopgap relief or legal mirage for America’s budget crisis?

Yaqoob told reporters in Kabul that US drones have been entering Afghanistan via Pakistan’s airspace.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmed said in an overnight statement that Pakistan has noted, with deep concern, the allegation by the Acting Defence Minister of Afghanistan regarding the use of Pakistan’s air space in the US counter-terrorism drone operation in Afghanistan.

“In the absence of any evidence, as acknowledged by the Afghan Minister himself, such conjectural allegations are highly regrettable and defy the norms of responsible diplomatic conduct”, he said.

Impact Shorts

More Shorts

‘The cries of this widow will echo’: In first public remarks, Erika Kirk warns Charlie’s killers they’ve ‘unleashed a fire’

Trump urges Nato to back sanctions on Russia, calls for 50–100% tariffs on China

Pakistan reaffirmed its belief in the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states and said that it condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

“We urge the Afghan interim authorities to ensure the fulfilment of international commitments made by Afghanistan not to allow the use of its territory for terrorism against any country”, the spokesperson said.

Pakistani authorities have previously denied involvement in the US drone strike it carried out in Kabul that killed 71-year-old Zawahiri.

Border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have risen since the Taliban seized power last year, with Islamabad claiming militant groups are carrying out regular attacks from the neighbouring country.

Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.