Pakistani FM hopeful as Islamabad and Kabul prepare for talks in Istanbul
Assalamualaikum - Pakistan’s foreign minister said he was optimistic ahead of meetings with Afghanistan in Istanbul, hoping the two Muslim neighbors can cooperate to curb cross-border militancy and rebuild trust.
Recent months have seen rising tensions after attacks in Pakistan’s western border provinces. Islamabad has accused militants of using Afghan soil for operations, which Kabul denies. The countries briefly exchanged heavy fire last month after Pakistan struck what it described as TTP-linked positions in Afghanistan. A ceasefire was agreed in Doha on Oct. 19, and both sides are set to meet in Istanbul on Nov. 6 to agree a way to secure their 2,600-kilometer border.
Speaking to the upper house, FM Ishaq Dar said he spoke several times with his Afghan counterpart, Amir Khan Muttaqi, and stressed that Pakistan wants to support Afghanistan as a fellow Muslim nation, even though the uptick in cross-border attacks has placed Pakistan in a difficult position.
“I’m among those who want to move forward positively with Afghanistan, Iran and all our neighboring countries. This is my responsibility on behalf of Pakistan,” he told senators, adding his sincere dua is that the issues be resolved and the two sides help one another.
The TTP has been blamed for some of Pakistan’s most brutal attacks, including on schools and places of worship, and for targeting activists like Malala Yousafzai. Pakistani security operations since 2014 had broken up much of the TTP’s leadership and pushed fighters into neighboring Afghanistan, officials say.
Without naming individuals, Dar criticized the previous administration for engaging with the TTP in a way that allowed militants to regroup, calling that a major mistake and urging unity so such errors aren’t repeated by any future government.
May Allah grant success to efforts that bring peace and security to both countries.
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