Pakistan reiterated its commitment to fostering peace and prosperity in Afghanistan during the ‘Afghanistan’s Regional Cooperation Initiative’ conference hosted by the Afghan caretaker government in the war-torn capital. The conference drew participation from various regional countries, including Pakistan, Russia, China, Iran, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and Indonesia.
Ubaid Nizamani, the Ambassador of Pakistan in Kabul, represented Pakistan at the conference and underscored the country’s dedication to a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan. He emphasized the need for regional collaboration to leverage mutually beneficial connectivity opportunities and address shared concerns.
Nizamani shared his sentiments on a social media platform, stating, “Represented Pakistan in Regional Countries conference on Afghanistan in Kabul. Reiterated our commitment to a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan. The region must work together to harness mutually beneficial connectivity potential and address shared concerns.”
The relationship between the Taliban government in Afghanistan and Pakistan has experienced strain due to an escalation in terrorist attacks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, often claimed by the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Pakistan contends that the TTP and other groups utilize Afghan territory against Pakistan, a claim disputed by the Afghan Taliban government.
Despite the interim Afghan government’s assurance that Afghan soil will not be allowed to be used against its neighbors, Pakistani authorities remain unconvinced. They have called for decisive action against the TTP, its sanctuaries, and the extradition of its leaders. Last year, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar highlighted a 60 percent increase in terrorism and a 500 percent surge in suicide bombings since the Afghan Taliban assumed power in August 2021.
A report from the Islamabad-based think tank Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies indicated that over 82 percent of terrorism-related deaths in 2023 resulted from attacks by three major groups: TTP and its affiliates Tehreek-i-Jihad Pakistan, the Islamic State of Khorasan, and the Balochistan Liberation Army. The situation reflects the complex security challenges in the region and the ongoing efforts to address them through diplomatic channels.
