KARACHI: The Prime Minister of Pakistan charged that the Royal Afghanistan Govern­ment were persistently following “a policy of open hostility” against Pakistan. They have been warned of the “dangers inherent in their rash policy” he said. The charge was contained in a 1,500-word statement made by Mr Liaquat Ali Khan in the Pakistan Parliament on Monday [Jan 9] in reply to a … question by Dr Omar Hayat Malik on the statement regarding Pashtoonistan made at New Delhi by the Afghan Ambassador.

The Prime Minister accused the Government of Afghanistan of violation of solemn treaties and Agreements and utter disregard of international and rational considerations in continuing their “most persistent propaganda” and “intrigue” to [“]wean away the loyalty of the people of Pakistan”.

The alleged demand for “free pushtoonistan” was entirely a figment of imagination of certain individuals in Afghanistan. The National Assembly in Tirah and Shinwar Khyber was set up on paper in Kabul, and the story of economic blockade of tribal areas was a pure fabrication, the Prime Minister declared.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2025