Peshawar: In a significant diplomatic move, Adviser to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif announced on Sunday that the provincial government will dispatch two delegations to Afghanistan to engage in discussions with Kabul.
According to the terms of references (ToRs), the first delegation will focus on fostering a conducive environment for dialogue and managing diplomatic affairs, while the second delegation will include multiple stakeholders to ensure comprehensive engagement.
This development follows a surge in terrorist incidents in Pakistan, which Islamabad has frequently attributed to outlawed groups operating from Afghanistan. The Afghan Taliban-led administration has consistently denied these allegations.
Pakistan and Afghanistan share a porous border stretching approximately 2,500 kilometers, featuring several vital crossing points that play a crucial role in regional trade and cross-border relations. However, security concerns, particularly regarding terrorism, remain a major issue for Pakistan, which has urged Afghanistan to prevent its territory from being used by groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to launch attacks.
Islamabad’s concerns were further reinforced by a report submitted to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) by the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, which highlighted a nexus between Kabul and the TTP, with the former allegedly providing logistical, operational, and financial support to the latter.
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Statistics compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) further illustrate the gravity of the situation. The provinces of KP and Balochistan, both of which border Afghanistan, have witnessed a 42% surge in terrorist attacks last month compared to December 2024.
In response to the worsening security situation—particularly the prolonged unrest in the Kurram region—KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur proposed direct talks with Afghanistan in September 2024, aiming to curb terrorism and establish lasting peace in the volatile border regions.
The proposal, which was endorsed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, faced criticism from the federal government, which viewed it as an encroachment on the federation’s authority. Despite this opposition, the KP chief minister reaffirmed his commitment earlier this month, stating that his government remains resolute in sending a jirga to Afghanistan to address pressing security concerns.
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