ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign minister on Tuesday expressed optimism ahead of talks with Afghanistan in Istanbul that the two neighbors could work together to address cross-border militancy and strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been high in recent months following an uptick in attacks in Pakistan’s western provinces that border Afghanistan. Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban of allowing the use of their soil for these attacks, an allegation Kabul denies.
The two countries engaged in fierce fighting last month after Pakistan hit what it called TTP-affiliated targets in Afghanistan. Both sides reached a ceasefire in Doha on Oct. 19 and are due to meet in Istanbul on Nov. 6 to finalize a mechanism to keep militancy along their 2,600-kilometer border in check.
Addressing the upper house of parliament, FM Ishaq Dar said he “received six calls” from his Afghan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi on Monday and told him that he supported Afghanistan as a neighboring Muslim country, but the rise in cross-border militancy had left him in a difficult position.
“I am among those who want to move forward positively with Afghanistan, Iran and all our neighboring countries. This is my responsibility on behalf of Pakistan,” Dar said, briefing Senate members about Pakistan’s talks with Afghanistan.
