KABUL/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has voiced strong concern over a spike in terrorist attacks originating from Afghan soil, pressing Kabul to take verifiable action against groups such as the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA)/Majeed Brigade.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar raised the issue during a bilateral meeting with Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on the sidelines of the Sixth Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue in Kabul, which was also attended by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
For the first time, Islamabad officially conveyed to Kabul that the BLA and its Majeed Brigade were staging operations from Afghanistan. Pakistan has suffered over 300 terrorist incidents in 2025 alone, leaving hundreds dead. Dar acknowledged positive progress in political and commercial ties with Kabul but stressed that counterterrorism cooperation remains inadequate.
The Foreign Office said the three sides pledged to strengthen joint efforts against terrorism, alongside commitments to deepen collaboration in trade, transit, regional development, health, education, culture, drug control, and extending the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan.
The ministers welcomed the recent upgrade of diplomatic representation to ambassadorial level and noted steady implementation of decisions from earlier engagements, including Dar’s April and July visits to Kabul and the May 21 trilateral meeting in Beijing.
Muttaqi reaffirmed Afghanistan’s pledge that its territory would not be used against Pakistan or any other nation.
Meanwhile, Wang Yi held separate talks with Afghan leaders, underlining China’s intent to expand political and economic cooperation, particularly in mining, agriculture, and trade. He urged Kabul to curb militant groups, stressing that stronger security ties would underpin long-term stability.
Beijing also pressed Afghanistan to formally join its Belt and Road Initiative, with Wang pledging continued support for peace, stability, and development.
