Afghan Ambassador to Qatar Says Pakistan Opposes Normal Ties with India

Suhail Shaheen, Afghanistan's ambassador to Qatar, stated that Pakistan opposes Afghanistan developing normal relations with countries including India.

In an interview with India Today, Shaheen said Islamabad uses widespread attacks on civilians as a tool to pressure Kabul into accepting its demands. He added that Pakistan's claims of targeting Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants in Afghanistan are baseless.

Shaheen separately told India TV that he strongly condemns Pakistan's attack on a hospital for addicts in Kabul, describing it as a "crime against humanity." He said the strike killed more than 400 people and wounded 265 others.

The ambassador denied reports of backchannel negotiations between Kabul and Islamabad. "Currently, there are no backchannel negotiations," he said. "They have chosen the military path, while we have always wanted a peaceful solution to the issues. They chose to attack Afghanistan first. Therefore, I think it will be responded to in their own language."

Shaheen's remarks come amid ongoing tensions between the two neighbors, with Pakistan frequently citing cross-border militant activities as justification for its military actions inside Afghanistan.