TEHRAN -- A senior Pakistani journalist and expert on Afghan affairs Wednesday questioned American accusations against Iran of interference in Afghanistan and said leveling of such allegations by Washington is not a new thing.

Speaking at a discussion on Pakistani television on Afghanistan's reconstruction, Rahimullah Yousafzai said that the pro-American Governor of Kandahar, Gul Agha, is trying to destabilize the government of Ismail Khan in Herat and other provinces under his control bordering Iran, IRNA reported.

"If political disputes remain in the western provinces like Helmand, Herat, Nemroz and Farah continue, then Americans will level accusations against Iran," said Yousafzai, who writes for the widely- circulated daily *****The News****.

"American allegations is not a new thing. They had, in the past, accused Pakistan of interfering in Afghanistan, although there was some truth in the assertions against Pakistan," he opined.

Highlighting the role of Iran and Pakistan in Afghanistan's reconstruction, he said that reconstruction of war-ravaged Afghanistan is difficult without the cooperation of the two countries.

"Machinery and other equipment for the reconstruction process will have to be shifted through Iran and Pakistan. There are millions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan and Iran and they will return via these two countries," he said.

Yousafzai argued that both Pakistan and Iran are giving a helping hand in the reconstruction process in Afghanistan.

He also said that it will be easy for Afghan professionals living in Iran and Pakistan to return to Afghanistan to take part in the reconstruction.