Ex-JI chief to hold high-level meetings in Kabul in bid to ease Pak-Afghan tensions: sources

Will discuss border trade and crossings in first stages, along with Islamabad's security concerns later on

PESHAWAR:

Former Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq is set to hold multiple high-level meetings with the Kabul leadership on Islamabad's security concerns and existing issues amid a period of tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, according to sources as back-door diplomacy continues despite denial from both sides.

In recent moves, the two sides have held multiple rounds of talks, but they always resulted in a standstill due to Afghanistan's demands seeking assurances from Pakistan of not violating the country's aerial sovereignty and on border closures, while Islamabad insists on tangible measures from Kabul against the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militant group.

Read: Pakistan, Afghanistan test quieter diplomacy

Results of ice melting on both sides seem to be showing for now as the former JI chief is present in Kabul since Tuesday and will discuss multiple topics, including border trade and crossings in the first stages, along with Islamabad's security concerns as well later on, sources with knowledge of the matters told The Express Tribune over the phone.

Read more: Pakistan, Afghanistan set up joint committee for talks at Torkham border

They confirmed that this would not be the first time that the JI leadership played its role in easing the tense environment between the neighbours.

"JI was in the multilayer jirga which representing tribal chiefs, political figures of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and political figures, but let me clear that Muhammad Ali Saif was an ex-JI member who held successful talks with Kabul on TTP," the sources said.

Explained: Pakistan-Afghanistan border conflict

These would be the first diplomatic efforts from Islamabad and Kabul after last year's hostilities that broke out into open skirmishes on the border and led to a shutdown of all border interactions, the source said.

"Pakistan and Afghanistan should resolve their issues by not involving anyone else, but sit, the two brothers across the table and openly discuss the issue pertaining to security and trade," sources replied.