Pakistan has firmly rejected allegations made by former Afghan Interior Ministry spokesperson Qari Saeed Khosti, who claimed that Pakistani pharmaceutical exports to Afghanistan were “poisonous” and politically motivated.
Islamabad termed the accusations factually incorrect, misleading, and damaging to decades of trusted bilateral cooperation.
Pakistan’s record of safe medical exports
According to Khosti, Afghan authorities rejected a shipment of medicines allegedly sent “under the guise of medical support,” suggesting the products were unsafe and unusable in Afghanistan.
He further claimed Pakistan could neither re-import nor sell these medicines domestically.
Pakistan strongly dismissed these assertions. Officials clarified that all pharmaceutical products exported to Afghanistan are manufactured under internationally recognized standards, with strict quality control protocols applied to every shipment.
Pakistan has supplied Afghanistan with regulated, safe, and globally compliant medicines for decades. Which contributed significantly to humanitarian needs across the border.
The Foreign Office emphasized that such a long-standing track record cannot be undermined on the basis of unverified statements lacking evidence.
Experts also noted that no formal complaint has been lodged through official channels, raising further doubts about the credibility of the claims.
No political motives, only humanitarian commitment
Responding to allegations that Pakistan uses trade, medical supplies, or border management as political leverage, Islamabad reiterated that its policies are guided purely by humanitarian considerations and mutual benefit.
Officials stressed that Pakistan has never weaponized essential goods, particularly medicines, against Afghanistan like India did after the recent clash with Pakistan. Where Indian authorities denied visas to several critical patients from Pakistan.
Instead, Pakistan has supported Afghan patients, traders, and hospitals through consistent medical exports and cross-border facilitation.
Afghans from the last several decades have used Pakistan’s medical infrastructure, even those that are run by Pakistani governments, for medicinal purposes.
The decades-long acceptance of Pakistani pharmaceuticals by Afghan authorities itself reflects their quality and compliance with global benchmarks.
Analysts believe the recent allegations appear to be politically motivated, aimed at discrediting Pakistan’s humanitarian role rather than addressing any technical issues.
Pakistan maintains that it will continue its pharmaceutical exports and aid operations in line with international safety standards, transparency, and its principled policy of supporting the Afghan people.
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