ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced on Tuesday his imminent visit to Kabul as part of Pakistan’s efforts to address the escalating terrorism which it attributes to militants sheltered in Afghanistan. This comes amidst a rise in militant activity in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, which border Afghanistan. The surge in violence has been persistent since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021. Pakistan has continually urged the interim Afghan government to prevent cross-border attacks and take firm action against militants using Afghan territory as a base.
Speaking at the Senate’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs’ first meeting, chaired by Irfan Siddiqui, Dar emphasized Pakistan’s enduring relationship with Afghanistan. “I will leave for Afghanistan in a couple of days. Afghanistan is our brotherly country,” he said, underscoring the importance of the bilateral ties. “We had and will continue to have a very close relationship with Afghanistan. You can’t change your neighbours.” Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi was also present at the meeting.
Addressing the issue of security, Dar highlighted the involvement of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in attacks targeting Chinese nationals in Pakistan, specifically referencing an incident in Dassu. He noted that these attacks aim to create discord between Pakistan and China and stressed that evidence points to the TTP’s presence and activities being based in Afghanistan.
The Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) Annual Security report revealed that during the second quarter of this year, Pakistan experienced 380 violence-related fatalities and 220 injuries among civilians, security personnel, and outlaws. These incidents resulted from 240 terror attacks and counter-terror operations, with civilian and security forces personnel accounting for 236 of the fatalities.
“Security is our major problem that Pakistan has with Afghanistan,” Dar stated. He also highlighted the resurgence of the polio virus in Pakistan, a disease that had been eradicated in 2018.
Regarding the financial situation, Dar shared Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s stance on avoiding further debt from other nations. “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has clearly stated he would not seek debt from any brotherly country, any longer.” Dar emphasized the need for economic diplomacy to navigate through the current financial crisis. “Pakistan will have to focus on economic diplomacy if it has to steer clear of the current financial crunch,” he said, while assuring that he has made every effort to support the government’s economic team.
Dar’s visit to Afghanistan is seen as a critical step in addressing both the security concerns and the broader bilateral relationship. His comments reflect Pakistan’s ongoing struggle to manage the implications of regional instability and underscore the intertwined nature of security and economic challenges facing the country.
The upcoming trip is also significant given the context of Pakistan’s internal security issues and its need to maintain strong international relationships, especially with neighboring countries. Dar’s statements suggest a proactive approach in diplomacy and security, aiming to foster stability and cooperation in a region fraught with challenges.
This development follows a backdrop of increasing violence and complex geopolitical dynamics, highlighting the necessity for Pakistan to secure its borders and engage in constructive dialogue with Afghanistan. As Dar prepares for his visit, the outcomes of his discussions will be closely watched, given their potential impact on regional stability and Pakistan’s domestic security landscape.
