Bilawal assures Afghan FM Muttaqi of commitment to 'stable Afghanistan'
Pakistan
FM reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to a stable Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - In a latest push to do more to tackle the threat posed by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Minister for Foreign Affairs Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday telephoned his Afghan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) spokesperson, ministers discussed a range of issues of mutual interest and Mr Zardari “reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan”.
No further details were shared.
— Spokesperson MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) April 15, 2023
The conversation comes in the wake of the recent rise in terrorism in Pakistan and wherein almost one-third of the terrorism incidents are reported to have been committed by the outlawed TTP.
Earlier, COAS Gen Asim Munir had, in an assembly session, said that negotiations with terrorists resulted in their reemergence adding that it was a wrong decision to hold talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). However, he dispelled the impression about conducting a new military operation to root out terrorism saying the army was not about to launch a new operation but it was a reflection of the unflinching trust of people in the army.
On the other hand, Pakistan Army vowed to eliminate the menace of terrorism and extremisms through “whole-of-the-system approach,” at the 257th Core Commanders' Conference as the country witnessed uptick in terror attacks since the TTP unilaterally withdrew from the ceasefire truce.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif had, days ago, said the militants of the TTP were still using the soil of Afghanistan to carry out terrorist activities against Pakistan despite Kabul’s promise to remove the sanctuaries of the outlawed group.
In February, a high-level delegation led by Khawaja Asif and comprising ISI) chief Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum, Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq, Foreign Secretary Asad Majeed Khan and Kabul mission head Ubaid Ur Rehman Nizamani visited the neighbouring country to demand action against the TTP.
During the meeting, the Taliban-led interim government in Afghanistan had assured the Pakistani delegation of an action against sanctuaries of the banned group. They had also agreed to effectively address the threat of terrorism posed by various entities and organisations.
In an interview with a foreign media outlet, Mr Asif said Islamabad had good relations with Kabul but “we are concerned about the TTP as it is still using Afghan soil against Pakistan”.
The defence minister said different channels had been used to take up the matter with the Afghan government and they expressed willingness not to allow the use of their land against Pakistan.
