FM reiterates commitment to stable Afghanistan

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday held a telephonic conversation with Acting Afghan Minister for Foreign Affairs Amir Khan Muttaqi and discussed a range of issues of mutual interest.

The telephonic conversation comes as Pakistan pushes the interim government to tackle the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

“The foreign minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan,” said a brief statement issued by the Foreign Office.
No further details were provided but sources said the telephone call could be a prelude to the likely visit of Muttaqi to Islamabad.

The sources said the acting foreign minister is expected to visit Islamabad as the two neighbours are struggling to find a common ground on how to deal with the TTP and its affiliates.

The sources told The Express Tribune that Islamabad and Kabul were in contact with each other to finalize the date of Taliban's chief diplomat. The visit is likely to take place in coming weeks, according to sources.

Muttaqi undertook a maiden trip to Islamabad in November 2021 months after the Afghan Taliban returned to power.

Pakistan had hoped that the Taliban takeover would improve border security and importantly the issue of terrorist sanctuaries would be sorted out. But contrary to expectations, the TTP sponsored attacks have only increased causing friction in bilateral ties. Efforts by the Afghan Taliban to mediate a peace deal between Pakistan and the TTP have failed.

At a recent meeting of the National Security Committee, the country's civil and military leadership admitted that a policy to make peace with the TTP had led to the rise in terrorism.

The stance taken by the current government and establishment means that Pakistan would no longer seek any talks with the TTP.

In February, a high-powered Pakistan delegation led by Defense Minister Khwaja Asif and comprising the DG ISI and other senior officials visited Kabul and gave the Afghan Taliban stern warning to tackle TTP threat. Pakistan confronted the Taliban government with evidence of TTP presence and their whereabouts. The Afghan intelligence officials travelled to Islamabad following the Pakistani delegation visit to sort out the issue.

Against this backdrop the likely visit of the Afghan Foreign Minister would be significant.