Afghanistan's Islamic Emirate spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has accused Pakistan of carrying out attacks on Afghan territory to divert attention from its domestic problems and avoid responsibilities under the "Mecca Security Pact" signed with Saudi Arabia.

Speaking at a religious school in Kandahar, Mujahid said Pakistan was facing political and economic challenges and was using attacks against Afghanistan to shift public attention away from internal issues and protests.

He claimed that Islamabad's actions were aimed at avoiding obligations arising from the security pact signed with Saudi Arabia and creating the impression that the two neighbouring countries were in a state of conflict.

"Pakistan wants to divert attention from its failures by violating the territory of a neighbouring Islamic country," Mujahid said.

He also criticised Pakistan's political situation, claiming that political space had been restricted and that freedoms guaranteed under the country's laws were not being fully respected.

Kabul and Islamabad exchange accusations

Mujahid accused Pakistan's military leadership of endangering the Pakistani people through what he described as a "wrong approach" and warned that the Islamic Emirate would give an "appropriate response" to what he called the "oppression" of Pakistan's military authorities.

The remarks came after Pakistan carried out air strikes on Afghanistan's Kandahar, Paktia and Khost provinces on Thursday.

Afghan authorities said four civilians were killed in the strikes. Earlier attacks on Kunar and Paktika provinces had also killed three civilians, according to Afghan officials.

Pakistan has defended the operations, saying they were carried out in response to security threats and alleged attacks originating from Afghan territory. Islamabad has said its strikes targeted militant positions and were aimed at preventing cross-border attacks.

The latest developments have further increased tensions between the two neighbouring countries, which have faced repeated disputes over border security and militant activity. (ILKHA)