Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul on Tuesday, marking a step towards enhancing bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting comes amid strained relations due to frequent border skirmishes and Pakistan’s persistent demand that Afghanistan take action against the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Islamabad claims that the TTP uses Afghan soil to launch attacks in Pakistan, an allegation that Kabul has consistently denied.
Despite the tensions, both countries have recently engaged in diplomatic dialogue. The latest interaction follows a meeting between Afghan Chargé d’Affaires Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on December 9.
This was preceded by a meeting between Pakistan’s charge d’affaires in Kabul, Obaid Nizamani, and Taliban Defense Minister Mullah Yaqoob.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ambassador Sadiq stated: “Today I met with Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. He held extensive debates. “They agreed to work together to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, as well as for peace and progress in the region.”
Ambassador Sadiq also held a separate meeting with Afghanistan’s Acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani on Monday, where both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields to improve relations between the two neighboring nations.
Earlier this month, Pakistan reappointed Ambassador Sadiq as its Special Representative for Afghanistan. Although no formal announcement was made, the appointment was confirmed by sources close to the development.
This move came amid reports that the Afghan Taliban had begun relocating TTP members and their families out of the Ghazni border region, a move aimed at easing tensions with Pakistan.
The re-election and renewed diplomatic engagement reflect Pakistan’s continued desire to resolve outstanding issues through dialogue.
On December 13, the Foreign Ministry emphasized that the recent meetings with Afghanistan demonstrated Pakistan’s commitment to addressing concerns through constructive dialogue.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch noted that counter-terrorism efforts were at the forefront of the bilateral agenda, highlighting the importance of cooperation in addressing shared security challenges.
