Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Urges IEA to Ensure Afghan Soil Not Used for Terrorism
Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, has called on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to ensure that Afghan soil is not used for terrorist activities against Pakistan. Dar emphasized that this is crucial for regional security and bilateral relations, while also highlighting recent diplomatic efforts to improve ties between the two countries.
Speaking at the 52nd anniversary of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, stressed the importance of preventing Afghan soil from being used for terrorist activities against Pakistan.
Dar highlighted recent diplomatic efforts to improve Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, including his visit to Kabul and the China-Pakistan-Afghanistan trilateral foreign ministers’ meeting in Beijing. He noted that these engagements have paved the way for a positive and qualitative shift in bilateral relations.
During these meetings, both sides agreed to upgrade diplomatic representation to the ambassadorial level and to extend the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan.
However, Dar emphasized that Pakistan has made sincere efforts in Afghanistan’s interest and now expects the Afghan Interim Government to take necessary steps to ensure that Afghan soil is not used for terrorism against any state, particularly Pakistan.
He stated: “Having made sincere efforts in Afghanistan’s interest, it is our legitimate expectation that the Afghan Interim Government would take all steps necessary to ensure that Afghanistan’s soil is not used for terrorism against any state, particularly Pakistan.”
Dar added that this cooperation is not only in Pakistan’s interest but also directly benefits Afghanistan, as it would strengthen internal security and improve relations with neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan.
He further emphasized that genuine cooperation from the Afghan authorities could lead to wide-ranging benefits in terms of economic development, regional connectivity, and shared prosperity—benefits that would extend beyond Afghanistan to Central Asia and other regions.
This comes as the Islamic Emirate has repeatedly rejected claims by Pakistani officials that Afghan soil is being used for attacks against Pakistan, asserting instead that Pakistan’s insecurity is an internal issue.
