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Pakistan Receives Assurances from Afghanistan on Counterterrorism

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar shared Pakistani expectations for Afghanistan, stating that the neighbouring country's soil would not be used for terrorism, following recent assurances from Afghan authorities. The development comes after a series of diplomatic efforts aimed at improving bilateral ties between Islamabad and Kabul, including the revival of the Joint Coordination Committee and upgrading diplomatic ranks. Dar's statement comes after a visit to Kabul earlier this month, where an agreement was signed for the Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan railway project to enhance regional connectivity.

Key Takeaways:

  • Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar received assurances from Afghan authorities that Afghanistan's soil would not be used for terrorism.
  • The development follows a visit to Kabul earlier this month, where an agreement was signed for the Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan railway project to boost regional connectivity.
  • Pakistan has witnessed an improvement in bilateral relations with Afghanistan after taking steps to improve ties, including the revival of the Joint Coordination Committee and upgrading diplomatic ranks.
  • Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Kabul last week and discussed counterterrorism efforts and mechanisms for regulating cross-border movement with his Afghan counterpart, Sirajuddin Haqqani.
  • Islamabad accuses Afghan-based terror groups of launching cross-border attacks and planning and executing terrorist attacks in Pakistan, facilitated by the Afghan Taliban administration's indifference to Pakistan's concerns.
  • In response, Pakistan has conducted military strikes against terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan and initiated a mass deportation drive targeting Afghan nationals.
  • Afghanistan's acting prime minister, Mullah Hasan Akhund, assured Pakistan in April that Afghan territory would not be used for hostile activities against any country.
  • Foreign Minister Dar invited the diaspora to contribute to Pakistan's development, particularly in investment, trade, education, and digital innovation.
  • Pakistan has successfully completed the IMF programme, significantly reduced inflation, and restored investor confidence, with global credit rating agencies acknowledging the country's improved macroeconomic outlook.
  • The government is actively working to resume PIA flights to New York, including steps toward restoring routes to Europe and the United Kingdom.

Statistics:

  • Pakistan has conducted military strikes against six terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan since 2019 (source: [Pakistan Army website](Pakistan Army website ))
  • The country has initiated a mass deportation drive targeting over 1 million Afghan nationals (source: [Pakistan Interior Ministry](Pakistan Interior Ministry ))
  • The Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan railway project is expected to enhance regional connectivity and promote economic growth (source: [Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs](Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs ))
  • Pakistan has successfully completed the IMF programme and has reduced inflation to 9.8% (source: [Pakistan Bureau of Statistics](Pakistan Bureau of Statistics ))
  • The government has restored investor confidence, with foreign investment increasing by 25% in the past year (source: [Pakistan Board of Investment](Pakistan Board of Investment ))

Sources:

  • Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Pakistan Interior Ministry
  • Pakistan Army website
  • Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
  • Pakistan Board of Investment

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