Afghanistan recalls ambassador in row over Pakistan PM Imran Khan's remarks: Reports

Afghanistan has recalled its ambassador from Pakistan over alleged remarks by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan that suggested Kabul should set up an interim government, calling the comments “irresponsible”, according to news agency Reuters. On Monday, Khan suggested an interim setup in Afghanistan as a possible solution to an apparent impasse in the ongoing peace process, while blaming the Afghan government for the stalemate in talks.

The suggestion came during PM Khan’s interaction with journalists at his office. “The Afghan government was a hurdle in peace process that was insisting that Taliban should talk to it,” said PM Khan.

The premier also confirmed that he had cancelled a scheduled meeting with Taliban leadership due to objections raised by the Afghan government.

Afghanistan also summoned Pakistan’s deputy ambassador to discuss the “irresponsible” remarks by Khan, said foreign affairs ministry spokesman Sibghatullah Ahmadi in a series of tweets on Tuesday.

The Afghan government deemed Khan’s statements as “an obvious example of Pakistan’s interventional policy and disrespect to the national sovereignty and determination of the people of Afghanistan,” Ahmadi said.