ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan offered the Afghan interim government to jointly fight terrorist groups, which are causing unrest and instability, as Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held crucial talks with Taliban authorities in a daylong visit to Kabul on Sunday.
Naqvi is the latest high-ranking Pakistani minister to travel to the neighbouring country as part of a renewed push to reset ties and address the issue of cross border terrorism. The interior minister’s visit came on the heels of Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s trip to Kabul a few days ago.
Naqvi, who was accompanied by special representative for Afghanistan Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq Khan and Interior Secretary Khurram Agha, met with Afghan Interim Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqni. The talks, according to officials, focused on the issue of terrorism, border management and repatriation of Afghan refugees.
But the issue of presence of banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other anti-Pakistan groups in Afghanistan was on top of the agenda. Sources said that Naqvi delivered a clear message that Pakistan considers Afghanistan as its “brotherly neighbouring” country but highlighted the activities of terrorist groups as major obstacle in the bilateral ties.
“Terrorist organisations are causing unrest and instability, we must jointly stop them,” Naqvi was quoted as saying by his office after his meeting with the head of Haqqani Network. An interior ministry handout said the two sides discussed bilateral relations, particularly focusing on counterterrorism, cross-border infiltration, and the banned TTP.
The talks were also held on effective management of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, prevention of drug trafficking, and regulating cross-border movement. The repatriation process of Afghan nationals, illegally residing in Pakistan, also came under discussion.
Both interior ministers emphasised the need for peaceful coexistence, stability, and enhanced cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan. They agreed to strengthen mutual collaboration to improve border management and eliminate the menace of terrorism.
“Pakistan desires fraternal and long-lasting relations with Afghanistan. For decades, Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees selflessly, and the doors remain open for Afghan citizens to enter Pakistan legally,” Naqvi said.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained stalled for many months before the two sides made a fresh attempt to sort out their differences.
Dar’s visit to Kabul in April led to greater engagement between the two neighbours. The Afghan government, according to sources, took certain steps to control the TTP. Some measures including a crackdown on Afghans, who were joining the TTP.
Those steps helped build some trust between the two countries. Officials, however, cautioned that the Afghan side will have to demonstrate a lot more commitment to completely eradicate the threat emanating from the neighbouring country.
Meanwhile, high-level exchanges between the two countries will continue as Afghan Interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is expected to travel to Islamabad soon.
