Pakistan
Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq, held a significant meeting with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul on Tuesday, focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation and addressing regional peace challenges.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have faced strain due to frequent border skirmishes and Islamabad’s persistent calls for Kabul to act against the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Pakistan accuses of using Afghan territory to launch attacks. The Afghan government, however, denies these allegations.
Despite these tensions, both nations have recently engaged in constructive diplomatic efforts. A notable meeting occurred on December 9 between Afghan chargé d’affaires Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
This was followed by interactions between Pakistan’s chargé d’affaires in Kabul, Obaid Nizamani, and Taliban Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob.
Following his meeting with Foreign Minister Muttaqi, Ambassador Sadiq shared on X (formerly Twitter): “Met Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi today. Held wide-ranging discussions. Agreed to work together to further strengthen bilateral cooperation as well as for peace and progress in the region.”
A day earlier, Ambassador Sadiq also met with Afghan Acting Minister of Interior Sirajuddin Haqqani in Kabul. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation across various fields, aiming to deepen the fraternal relations between the two neighboring countries.
Pakistan recently reappointed Ambassador Sadiq as its special representative to Afghanistan, signaling its intent to pursue a constructive dialogue. Although no formal announcement was made, sources confirmed the development.
This renewed engagement comes amid reports that the Afghan Taliban has begun relocating TTP members and their families away from border regions to Ghazni in an effort to ease tensions with Pakistan.
The Foreign Office, on December 13, underscored Pakistan’s commitment to resolving outstanding issues through dialogue.
Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated at a weekly briefing that recent interactions highlight Pakistan’s interest in finding constructive solutions to bilateral concerns, including counterterrorism, which remains a priority on the agenda.
These back-to-back meetings suggest a renewed focus on fostering cooperation and addressing shared challenges, offering hope for improved relations between the two countries.
