Pakistani, Afghan ministers meet in Kabul to combat terrorism

By Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with his Afghan counterpart, Sirajuddin Haqqani, in Kabul on Sunday to confront a rising tide of security threats and strengthen fraying ties between the two neighbours.

Naqvi’s arrival at Kabul airport was met with a greeting from Afghan Interim Deputy Interior Minister Mohammad Nabi Omari. At the Afghan Ministry of Interior, Haqqani extended a hearty welcome to his Pakistani counterpart, setting the stage for a meeting that tackled some of the region’s most pressing challenges.

“Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi holds an important meeting with his Afghan counterpart Sirajuddin Haqqani,” Pakistan’s Interior Ministry announced in a post on X. The discussions zeroed in on counterterrorism, with a particular focus on the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a group that has escalated attacks in Pakistan since ending a ceasefire with the government in November 2022.

“Terrorist organisations are causing chaos and instability; we must stop them together,” Naqvi told Haqqani, emphasising the need for a united front against a common enemy.

The talks also covered infiltration across the rugged Pak-Afghan border, a persistent source of tension between the two nations. They delved into practical measures for managing the border, curbing the flow of narcotics, and regulating cross-border movement, issues that have long strained relations.

The repatriation of Afghans illegally residing in Pakistan emerged as a key point. “Pakistan has selflessly hosted millions of Afghan refugees for decades; the doors are open for the legal entry of Afghan citizens,” Naqvi said.

The meeting comes against a backdrop of cautious optimism in bilateral relations. Recent steps, like the revival of the Joint Coordination Committee and the upgrading of diplomats from chargé d’affaires to ambassador, signal a thaw after years of mistrust.

Earlier this month, both countries held the inaugural round of the Additional Secretary-Level Mechanism talks, laying groundwork for Sunday’s discussions.

Yet, the specter of violence remains ever-present. On Friday, Pakistani security forces thwarted an infiltration attempt along the border, arresting five alleged suicide bombers. The incident, coming on the heels of Naqvi’s visit, served as a stark reminder of the threats that continue to test both nations’ resolve.