Ishaq Dar urges Kabul to act against TTP, BLA

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday raised concerns over a surge in terrorist attacks by groups allegedly operating from Afghan soil during talks with Afghan Foreign Minister Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul, the Foreign Office said.

Dar urged Afghan authorities to take “concrete and verifiable measures” against the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its affiliate Majeed Brigade. He underlined that while political and commercial ties had progressed, security cooperation — particularly counter-terrorism — remained weak.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 6th Trilateral Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, China and Afghanistan. Kabul, however, has consistently rejected Islamabad’s position that Afghan territory is being used for cross-border attacks.

According to the FO statement, Dar acknowledged progress in political and trade relations but stressed the need for stronger counter-terrorism cooperation. Muttaqi reaffirmed that Afghanistan would not allow its soil to be used against Pakistan or any other country.

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Both sides welcomed the decision to elevate diplomatic ties to the ambassadorial level — agreed in Beijing on May 21 — and noted implementation of outcomes from Dar’s previous visits to Kabul in April and July. The FO said these measures had “significantly strengthened” trade and transit cooperation.

Muttaqi told Dar that Afghanistan was pursuing a “balanced, economy-focused policy” and wanted to deepen cooperation in trade, transit and joint projects. He also urged Pakistan to safeguard the rights of Afghan refugees and travellers.

Afghan officials reiterated that relations with Pakistan should be based on “mutual respect.”