Pakistan Urges Kabul to Act Against Terror Groups

Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar appealed to the Taliban administration in Kabul on Wednesday, urging them to implement verifiable and substantial measures against terrorist organizations. These include entities such as the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and the Majeed Brigade.

The request was made during a meeting between DPM Dar and Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi. The meeting occurred on the sidelines of the 6th trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers from Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan, held in Kabul.

This appeal follows the recent designation by the United States of the BLA and its associated militant group, the Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO).

According to Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, the DPM emphasized the upswing in terrorist incidents within Pakistan that have been carried out by groups operating from within Afghanistan.

Pakistan has noted a rise in cross-border terrorist activities since 2021, specifically in the bordering regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

After experiencing a decline the previous month, the nation saw a minor increase in terrorist incidents in July, as indicated by the security report issued by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), an Islamabad-based research organization.

PICSS reported 82 militant attacks across the country in July, which caused 101 deaths and 150 injuries. The deceased included 47 civilians, 36 security officers, and 18 militants.

The FO spokesperson mentioned that both ministers conveyed their satisfaction with the favorable progression of bilateral relations between their respective countries.

The spokesperson further stated that they appreciated the recent enhancement of diplomatic ties, with both countries elevating their representation from chargé d’Affaires to the ambassadorial level. This agreement was reached during the trilateral meeting held in Beijing on May 21, 2025.

Reflecting on their recent cooperative efforts, including the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister’s visits to Kabul on April 19, 2025, and July 17, 2025, as well as the Beijing meeting on May 21, 2025, the ministers acknowledged that most decisions resulting from these engagements have been implemented or are in the final stages of completion.

The statement added that these initiatives have considerably improved Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, particularly in trade and transit.

During the meeting, DPM Dar recognized the advancement in political and trade relations, but he also stated that the security sector, particularly counter-terrorism efforts, has been slower.

The Afghan acting foreign minister confirmed Afghanistan’s dedication to ensuring that its territory is not used by any terrorist organization against Pakistan or any other country.

The DPM thanked the Afghan authorities for their hospitality and commended them for successfully hosting the 6th trilateral dialogue.