Doha: The first round of diplomatic talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan, held in the Qatari capital of Doha, has concluded, with Pakistan strongly opposing the presence of banned militant groups within Afghanistan’s borders.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, Pakistan raised its grave concerns regarding the existence of these terrorist factions, viewing their continued presence as a direct threat to the nation’s security. Pakistan officials reiterated that this situation is entirely “unacceptable” and demanded that Afghanistan take immediate steps to dismantle these groups operating on its soil.
The Pakistani delegation was led by Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, while Afghanistan’s defense minister, Mullah Yaqub, led the Afghan team. Afghan intelligence officials were also part of the Afghan delegation. During the talks, Pakistan emphasized the need for Afghanistan to take stronger measures against militant groups, especially those targeting Pakistan.
Pakistan has long highlighted the cross-border movement of terrorist groups, particularly the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has been responsible for numerous attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians. The Pakistani delegation insisted that Afghanistan should not allow such groups to use its territory for cross-border operations, stressing that this undermines regional peace and security.
The first round of talks was mediated by Qatari intelligence chief Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, who has played a crucial role in facilitating dialogue between the two countries. The talks primarily focused on counterterrorism, border security, and eliminating threats posed by extremist groups.
The discussions concluded with both sides agreeing to meet again tomorrow morning for the second round of talks. During this next session, the focus is expected to be on forging practical solutions to control cross-border militancy and establishing long-term security cooperation.
Notably, the two sides also agreed to a temporary ceasefire along their shared border in light of the talks, aiming to reduce tensions and prevent further violence. This ceasefire will remain in place while diplomatic efforts continue.
