KABUL (Pajhwok): Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Qari Mohammad Fasihuddin Fitrat has said the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) now has an independent army, accusing individuals who establish symbolic fronts with foreign support of seeking to create insecurity and concern among Afghans with Pakistan’s backing.
He also urged Afghans living abroad to return home and avoid becoming pawns in the interests of others.
Fitrat made the remarks on Sunday at a graduation ceremony for young recruits held at the Abdullah bin Masood (RA) Joint Combat Training Centre of the General Staff in Kabul.
Addressing the graduates, he said: “Prepare yourselves to confront enemies and demonstrate your strength to them. Be fully prepared in all areas so that you can remain safe from any aggression and defend your homeland.”
He further said: “Those who call themselves Afghans and, with foreign support, establish symbolic fronts under the names of freedom, resistance and other titles are neither Afghans nor do they belong to Afghanistan. They are the same people who, at the behest of foreigners and Afghanistan’s enemies, and with the support of occupiers, used to suppress the IEA’s mujahideen through the Americans and spread propaganda here that they were Pakistani or agents of Pakistan.
“The Americans were defeated here, and that pretext came to an end. Now, they themselves receive support and equipment from Pakistan and then seek to harass the Muslim people of Afghanistan and create concern among them at Pakistan’s direction and with its backing.”
He added that the IEA had worked to establish an army equipped with modern weapons and trained personnel, and that the country now had an independent army.
He also said: “My message to all compatriots living abroad is to return to their country and enjoy a peaceful and dignified life. Do not engage in destructive activities here at the behest of others and do not become pawns in the interests of others.”
A total of 1,100 young recruits from various border provinces graduated on Sunday after completing four months of professional, theoretical and practical training at the Abdullah bin Masood (RA) Joint Combat Training Centre in Kabul.
The recruits had been enlisted in the Islamic Army before undergoing the training.
The graduates staged military demonstrations and declared their readiness to serve in various border areas to defend the country’s frontiers.
kk/sa
