By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday called for a sustained dialogue with Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government to address surging militancy, border disputes, and economic collaboration, following a high-stakes visit by Islamabad’s special envoy to Kabul aimed at mending strained bilateral relations.
The push for dialogue comes amid escalating tensions over cross-border security threats and a recent deadly train hijacking in the restive Balochistan province, which Islamabad alleges was orchestrated by Afghanistan-based militants.
The foreign ministry confirmed Dar’s remarks during a debriefing by Special Representative on Afghanistan Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq, who concluded a three-day diplomatic mission to Kabul to discuss critical bilateral issues with Afghan officials.
“DPM [Dar] emphasized the importance of sustained dialogue with the interim Afghan government to address Pakistan’s concerns and promote bilateral relations,” the ministry said in a statement.
Ambassador Sadiq’s engagements included meetings with Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Commerce Minister Nooruddin Azizi, focusing on security, trade, and regional connectivity.
“During the meeting [with Muttaqi], both sides exchanged views on all issues of mutual concern, including peace and security, trade and economic cooperation, as well as people-to-people contacts,” the ministry said.
“The Special Representative reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continued engagement and mutually beneficial ties with Afghanistan, and underscored the importance of addressing all issues of concern, particularly security, to further consolidate bilateral ties… the two sides also reinforced the commitment to a mutually beneficial bilateral relationship, with a view to achieving lasting regional peace and stability.”
Relations between the neighbors have deteriorated sharply since the Taliban’s 2021 takeover of Kabul, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan of harboring militants responsible for attacks on its soil, including the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch separatists. Kabul has repeatedly denied the allegations, calling them “internal matters” for Islamabad.
Tensions flared this month after the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) hijacked a passenger train in Balochistan, killing over 60 people. Pakistan claimed the attackers coordinated with handlers in Afghanistan during the day-long siege. The incident intensified scrutiny of militant safe havens, with Islamabad asserting that the Taliban’s rise emboldened groups like the TTP, which has waged a deadly insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Border disputes further strained ties, notably the month-long closure of the Torkham crossing — a vital trade artery — which reopened temporarily only this week. During Sadiq’s visit, both sides agreed to continue talks on border management and security cooperation.
Despite security rifts, economic collaboration emerged as a key pillar of discussions. Sadiq and Muttaqi reaffirmed commitments to harness “regional trade and connectivity” for mutual benefit, with Pakistan pledging to avoid politicizing economic ties.
Acting Commerce Minister Azizi urged Islamabad to decouple trade from disputes, a stance Kabul has long maintained given Afghanistan’s reliance on Pakistani ports as a landlocked nation.
“The two sides agreed to harness full potential of regional trade and connectivity for the mutual benefit of both countries,” the foreign ministry said.
“The DPM/FM expressed satisfaction at the discussions held with the Afghan side and issued directions to further consolidate bilateral ties, including through high-level engagement and enhancement of trade and transit cooperation.”
At a ceremony in Kabul, Sadiq stressed that “peace and progress in Afghanistan are essential for regional stability,” adding that both nations must “enhance bilateral trade and promote connectivity.” The two sides agreed to expedite a Preferential Trade Agreement and resolve issues under the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit and Trade Agreement (APTTA).
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