The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has rejected the Afghan Taliban’s claim of alleged arms smuggling into Afghanistan, describing it as baseless and contrary to the facts.
In a statement, the ministry said the allegation of arms being smuggled from Pakistan into Afghanistan was not supported by facts and appeared to be an attempt to divert international attention from the real issue. It stated on X, “the Afghan Taliban regime’s claim that weapons are being smuggled from Pakistan into Afghanistan for so-called subversive activities is frivolous, baseless and contrary to facts.
According to the Ministry of Information, a large quantity of modern weapons and military equipment was left behind in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US and allied forces. The value of the abandoned military equipment is estimated at approximately $7.2 billion. Statement posted on X, the Ministry added that Afghanistan also has large stockpiles of Soviet-era weapons accumulated over decades of conflict, which is a major reason for the presence of weapons on Afghan soil. According to the ministry, attributing the presence of such weapons to Pakistan appears to be an attempt to divert the international community’s attention from the real and more serious issue.
Pakistan maintained that the real concern was the presence and activities of terrorist groups on Afghan soil, which, according to the statement, enjoy sanctuary, facilitation and freedom of action there. The statement said that terrorist groups are planning, facilitating and carrying out attacks in Pakistan from Afghan soil, describing the situation as a serious security concern for Pakistan. It stated that the Afghan Taliban should take effective action against terrorist groups and their safe havens on Afghan territory instead of making what it described as baseless allegations against Pakistan.
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