Afghan govt. condemns Imran Khan for 'jihad' statement

Kabul, Oct. 14 (ANI): The Afghan government has strongly condemned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan for his statement where he termed the ongoing war in Afghanistan against foreign troops 'jihad'.

"This is clear interference in Afghanistan's internal affairs. We urge the Pakistani government to arrest people who support the Taliban," The Express Tribune quoted Farhad Azimi, deputy secretary of the Afghan parliament, as saying.

Veteran journalist and political analyst Fahim Dashti said this is not the first time Imran has given such a 'negative' statement about Afghanistan.

"It is a political slogan through which Imran wants to gain more support. Clearly this is neither fair nor logical," Dashti said.

Those who consider terrorism a threat would never support Imran in this stance, Dashti said, adding that the Afghan people had high expectations from Imran when the PTI emerged as a strong political entity, but he proved to be a conventional politician.

"The war in Afghanistan is not jihad. This is a war by terrorists against Afghanistan, its people and the entire international community," said Hamid Zazai, managing director of Mediothek, an Afghan-German NGO.

He alleged that Imran is receiving support from the Taliban, and that by making such statements, he is just "paving the way for stronger Taliban support than what he is enjoying now". (ANI)