Afghanistan - Critics Say Aziz Remarks Worsen Pak-Afghan Relations

The recent remarks of Sartaj Aziz, the national security advisor to Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, have provoked the anger of the Afghan government followed by huge criticisms from both Pakistan and Afghanistan.

In an interview with BBC on Monday Aziz said that the militants who do not pose a threat to Pakistan's stability should not be targeted.

"Why should America's enemies unnecessarily become our enemies," Aziz said.

"We do not oppose the Afghan Taliban, it is an Afghan issue and we suggest Afghanistan to negotiate. We were supporting the Taliban during 90s, but not now, if they act against us, then we oppose them."

These controversial statements of Sharif's senior aide were followed by huge criticism by Afghans and his political rivals in Pakistan.

According to Pakistani politicians and analysts, such statements from Pakistan could further strain the relations between the two neighboring countries.

"Such statements, and that from a government official, can boldly impact the relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan," said Latif Faridi, a Pakistani analyst.

Another Pakistani analyst, Safdar Hayat, criticized Aziz's remarks resonating what Afridi said.

"Lately, the relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan had improved, but such statements can again worsen the relations," Hayat said.

Meanwhile, the Police Chief of Kandahar Gen. Abdul Raziq, who has repeatedly accused Pakistan of backing insurgent groups, once again said that Pakistan is still interfering in Afghanistan, but warned that the Afghan forces are always ready to thwart the plans of Pakistan against Afghanistan.

"Pakistan has always carried out its overt interference into Afghanistan," Gen. Raziq said. "We and our security forces are ready to prevent the overt interference of Pakistan," he added, accusing the international community for ignoring Pakistan's aggression onto Afghan soil.

This comes as Maulana Fazl-ur Rahman, a Pakistani politician and pro-Taliban cleric, made a statement during Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's visit to Islamabad that the war against foreigners in Afghanistan is legitimate.