ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Sunday that Afghanistan’s allegations of Islamabad allowing US drones to use its airspace were “highly regrettable”, cautioning Kabul that such statements defy the norms of “responsible diplomatic conduct.”
Afghanistan’s Acting Minister of Defense, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, told reporters at a news conference in Kabul American drones have been entering Afghanistan via Pakistan. In a message to Pakistan, Yaqoob urged Islamabad to not “use your airspace against us.”
A US drone strike last month killed Al-Qaeda chief Ayman Al-Zawahiri in his Kabul hideout. Taliban reacted to reports of Zawahiri’s killing by stating that an investigation was underway to verify the militant’s death.
Pakistan’s military and government have said the country’s soil was not used to carry out the drone strike. In a press release on Sunday, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it has noted “with deep concern” the Afghan official’s statement.
“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,” Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesperson said.
“Pakistan reaffirms its belief in the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states and condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” it added.
The ministry urged Afghanistan to ensure it fulfilled the international commitments it had made and not allow its territory to be used for militancy against any country.
Pakistan says Afghanistan’s accusations of allowing US drones to use airspace ‘highly regrettable’
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Pakistan says Afghanistan’s accusations of allowing US drones to use airspace ‘highly regrettable’
- Afghanistan’s acting defense minister said US drones have been entering country through Pakistan
- Islamabad tells Kabul allegations without evidence defy “norms of responsible diplomatic conduct”
Pakistan to participate in T20 World Cup but won’t play against India on Feb. 15
- Controversy over Pakistan’s participation erupted after ICC rejected Bangladesh’s request to relocate their matches to Sri Lanka
- Pakistan are scheduled to play all their Group A matches in Sri Lanka and open their campaign against the Netherlands on Feb. 7
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will take part in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup but won’t play their scheduled group stage match against arch-rival India on Feb. 15, the Pakistani government said on Sunday.
The tournament will be played from Feb. 7 to Mar. 8 and co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with matches being played across both countries and the final scheduled in Ahmedabad.
The controversy over Pakistan’s participation erupted after the ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland, following Bangladesh’s decision to not play matches in India owing to security fears.
Last week, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi had hinted at an outright boycott of the event in protest over the ICC’s decision to reject Bangladesh’s demands to relocate their matches from India to Sri Lanka.
“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026,” read a post on the Pakistani government’s official X account.
“However, the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India.”
Pakistan’s refusal to play against India, who they have already played at neutral venues in Sri Lanka, is likely to have severe financial implications.
Both sides have not played bilateral cricket since 2012 and only face each other in multi-nation events. Under a deal signed last year, India and Pakistan agreed not to travel to each other’s countries in cases where either hosts an ICC event, instead playing at neutral venues.
Pakistan are scheduled to play all their Group A matches in Sri Lanka. The ‘Men in Green’ will open their campaign against the Netherlands on Feb. 7.
