'If Pakistan doesn't want peace, we have other options': Afghan FM accuses Pakistan of escalation

Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, during a press conference held in India, accused Pakistan of escalating tensions along the border, asserting that Kabul’s response was an act of self-defense.

Muttaqi warned Pakistan that Kabul has "other options" if it does not want peace, amid border clashes. "Afghanistan is finally free and is working for peace... If Pakistan doesn't want good relations and peace, then Afghanistan has other options as well," Muttaqi said.

He also mentioned that the country retaliated against Pakistan to protect its borders and national interests, asserting that “our military objectives” were achieved during the overnight clashes.

“Afghanistan will safeguard its borders and its national interest, and that is why it immediately retaliated to the escalation from Pakistan. We achieved our military objectives last night, and our friends, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, have expressed that this conflict should come to an end, so we have paused it from our side for the time being. The situation is now under control. We only want good relations and peace,” Muttaqi said.
He emphasized that Afghanistan’s differences were not with the people of Pakistan but with “a few elements” responsible for creating instability.

“The people of Pakistan, in the majority, are peace-loving and want good relations with Afghanistan. We have no issues with the Pakistani civilians. There are a few elements in Pakistan that are creating tensions,” he added.