Afghanistan has no ill will towards anyone: IEA bigwigs

KABUL (Pajhwok): Senior Afghan officials on Tuesday said the Islamic Emirate has no ill will towards any neighbor or country in the region, but rather seeks good trade, political and diplomatic relations with all.

Addressing a gathering to celebrate the 106th anniversary of Afghanistan’s independence, Minister of National Defense Mullah Mohammad Yaqub Mujahid said: “We tell our neighboring countries that we have no ill will towards any neighboring country, we have no intention of undermining anyone’s security. No one should assume that the Afghan government and security and defense forces are trying to weaken us.”

“We also ask them to treat the people of Afghanistan, the territory of Afghanistan, and the defense forces with complete respect and not as an opponent, but as a friend and a good neighbor.”

He said that the Islamic Emirate’s policy was that it would not join hands with any alliance to undermine another.

Mullah Yaqub said: “We send this message to the countries of the region, neighboring countries, and all the great powers of the world and we say it loudly that whoever has bad intentions towards Afghanistan, they should shun their intentions. Afghanistan has no bad intentions towards you. We want good relations with everyone within the framework of Islamic Sharia. We want good relations with everyone… we want good trade, diplomatic and political relations.”

He said that Afghanistan should no longer become a battlefield for the great powers.

According to him: “The Russians and Chinese do not think that Afghanistan will do something against us at the behest of the United States or use this land against us and to our detriment, and neither do the Russians and Chinese think that the Americans will use this land here. Come and do business and compete with each other in building dams, roads, and we welcome you in this regard.”

He also urged the countrymen to do their best to preserve their independence.

Foreign Minister Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi also said in his speech at the meeting that Afghanistan had many achievements and was progressing well. He said no neighboring or regional countries should have a bad dream for Afghanistan. “Afghanistan is now united. Afghanistan has now built a very good system after many experiences.”

He added: “Freedom is taken, not given. Freedom is taken with the sword, gun, unity, consensus, and strong leadership.”

He said: “We must maintain our politics and policies and keep our nation independent, then we will reach a conclusion.”

Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund called on all Afghans living abroad to return to their country, stand by their system and nation, and stop unnecessary destruction at the instigation of others.

He also called on all countries not to have ill intentions towards Afghanistan, as the Islamic Emirate is watching everything and is accountable for it.

He added: “We invite you to learn from the history of Afghanistan, this nation cannot be taken captive by anyone; instead of interference and confrontation, pave the way for comprehensive political and economic interaction with us within the framework of principles; this is considered the basis for the security and economic interaction of the countries of the region and the world.”

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