Afghanistan recalls ambassador from Pakistan

Muscat: Afghanistan has recalled its envoy from Islamabad after Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was reported to have suggested Kabul set up an interim government.

The alleged remarks have led to a new row between the two neighbouring countries. Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Pakistan of attempting to interfere in Afghan affairs and summoned the country's Deputy Ambassador in protest.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its grave objection to the Pakistani Prime Minister's recent reckless statements about the peace process and establishment of an interim government, deemed such statements an obvious example of Pakistan's interventionist policy and disrespectful to the national sovereignty and determination of the people of Afghanistan," Spokesperson Sibghatullah Ahmadi tweeted.

He confirmed that Kabul's ambassador to Pakistan had been recalled "for further discussions on the matter."

Pakistan's Foreign Office claimed Khan's comments were 'misinterpeted'.

In a statement, Spokesperson Dr. Muhammad Faisal said Khan had referred to Pakistan's model, where elections are held under an interim government. The comments, Dr. Faisal added, should not be misinterpreted to imply interference in Afghanistan's internal affairs.

He reiterated Pakistan's commitment to promoting peace through " 'Afghan-owned and Afghan-led' peace process, according to local media.

Khan's remarks were condemned by politicians in Afghanistan.

Former Afghan leader Hamid Karzai said, "Prime Minister Imran Khan's repeated comments about Afghanistan’s future government is blatant interference in our country's internal affairs. I recommend to the government of Pakistan and others to commit to friendly relations with the Afghanistan government on principles of mutual respect to sovereignty and dignified relationship

Presidential Candidate and former National Security Adviser Mohammed Haneef Atmar also accused Khan of interference, stating, "Afghanistan is a sovereign nation and the Afghan people, not the leader of a neighbouring country, can decide the future of government and politics in our country."

US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad, said, "While Pakistan has made constructive contributions on the Afghan peace process, Prime Minister Khan's comments did not. The future of Afghanistan is for Afghans, and only Afghans, to decide.

"The role of the international community is to encourage Afghans to come together so they can do so."