Pakistan, Afghan Taliban's interior chiefs discuss terrorism

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) – Top officials of Pakistan and Afghanistan’s interim Taliban administration on Sunday discussed counterterrorism steps to curb militants' infiltration as the two neighbors seek to mend their relations, officials and state media reported.

Mohsin Naavi, Pakistan’s visiting interior minister, met with his acting Afghan counterpart Sirajuddin Haqqani in Kabul to discuss bilateral relations, including counterterrorism efforts, in addition to infiltration, and the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), long a source of tensions between the two countries.

“Effective management of the Pak-Afghan border, prevention of narcotics, and mechanisms for regulating cross-border movement were also discussed," Naqvi on X.

The visit comes days after the two countries together with Uzbekistan inked the framework agreement of a trilateral rail project in Kabul, after a series of steps between both nations to and the upgrading of each country’s diplomats from the rank of charge d’affaires to ambassador.

“Terrorist organizations are causing chaos and instability; we must stop them together,” Naqvi reportedly told Haqqani.

“Pakistan has selflessly hosted millions of Afghan refugees for decades; the doors are open for the legal entry of Afghan citizens,” he went on to say, as the two also discussed the ongoing process of repatriation of Afghan citizens illegally residing in Pakistan.

During the meeting, Haqqani "specifically" urged the Pakistani government to ensure "humane treatment" of Afghan refugees and prisoners residing in Pakistan, Afghanistan's official Bakhtar news agency reported.

He also emphasized the importance of paving an atmosphere of trust, stating that resolving ongoing issues is feasible with mutual respect and collaboration.

In response, Naqvi expressed a commitment to strengthen cooperation in critical areas such as security, trade, and combating drug trafficking, the news agency reported.

He also highlighted the need to provide better facilities for traders, recognizing the potential for economic growth through improved trade ties.

The meeting comes on the heels of a four-day security operation in Malakand in the northwestern Khyber Phaktunkhwa province, which killed nine suspected militants, with another eight arrested, Pakistan's military said in a statement.

Relations between the two countries remained strained over the past several months following an uptick in terrorist attacks in Pakistan, for which Islamabad blames "Afghan-based" TTP militants.

Kabul, for its part, denies the charge.

The South Asian country saw a slight decrease in terrorist attacks in June, with 100 fatalities, including 53 security personnel.