<p><a href="/en/afganistan/kabul" class="glossify-link">KABUL</a>.</p>
<p>On Tuesday, Khan told journalists in Islamabad: "The Afghan peace process can only be successful if there is a neutral interim government, which can hold free and transparent elections."</p>
<p>In an angry reaction, Afghan Foreign Ministry spokesman Sibghatullah Ahmadi said <a href="/en/pakistan" class="glossify-link">Pakistan</a>’s deputy ambassador in Kabul was summoned and a "grave objection" lodged over Khan's "reckless and irresponsible" remarks.</p>
<p>“Such statements an obvious example of Pakistan's interventional policy and disrespect for the national sovereignty and determination of the people of Afghanistan," he said.</p>
<p>A statement from the ministry said Kabul had also called its Ambassador to Pakistan Atif Mashal for consultations. Mashal had had arrived in Islamabad from Kabul on Tuesday, but was called back.</p>
<p>Afghan envoy to Islamabad Atif Mashal also tweeted: “I’ll be traveling to Kabul tomorrow as I have been called back by my government for consultation & in protest to the remarks by PM of Pakistan in relation to formation of a new interim government which is a clear attempt of interference in internal affairs of Afghanistan.”</p>
<p>Presidential hopeful and former national security advisor Hanif Atmar denounced the prime minister’s statement as “willful interference” in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.</p>
<p>“Afghanistan is a sovereign nation & the Afghan people, not the leader of a neighboring country, can decide the future of govt & politics in our country,” he tweeted.</p>
<p>It is the third time in over a month that Kabul has sought an explanation from Islamabad over comments related to the Afghan peace negotiations.</p>
<p>mud</p>
