ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday did not mince words as it highlighted a recent surge in terrorist attacks inside Pakistan perpetrated by groups operating from the Afghan soil, urging the Afghan authorities to take concrete and verifiable measures against entities such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA)/ Majeed Brigade.
For the first time, Pakistan officially told Kabul that the BLA and Majeed Brigade were operating against Pakistan from inside Afghanistan. Over 300 terrorist attack have taken place in Pakistan so far in 2025 with hundreds killed.
Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister (DPM/FM) Ishaq Dar made these remarks on the sidelines of the Sixth Trilateral Foreign Ministers Dialogue in Kabul during a bilateral meeting with Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
Dar and Muttaqi were joined by their Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at the dialogue where the issues of political, economic and security cooperation came under discussion.
All three regional neighbours expressed their resolve to strengthen joint efforts against the menace of terrorism, said the Foreign Office. “The three sides committed to strengthen joint efforts against terrorism. They also reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration in trade, transit, regional development, health, education, culture and combating drug trafficking, as well as extension of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan,” added the statement as Dar and his small delegation flew back to Islamabad.
Issues related to peace and security also came under discussion. The matter of terrorist organisations operating on Afghan soil was a major issue during the meeting. In their meeting, the DPM/ FM and Afghan acting FM noted positive movement in political and economic ties, and reaffirmed commitment to working closely on counter-terrorism and ensuring peace and stability in the region.
The Foreign Office pointed out that both ministers expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of bilateral relations between their countries. They welcomed the recent elevation of diplomatic representation between the two countries from Chargé d’Affaires to ambassadorial level, as agreed during the Trilateral Meeting in Beijing on May 21, 2025. Reflecting on their recent engagements, including the deputy prime minister and foreign minister’s visits to Kabul on April 19, 2025, and July 17, 2025, and the Beijing meeting on May 21, the ministers noted with appreciation that most decisions from these interactions have either been implemented or are nearing completion. These efforts have significantly strengthened Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, particularly in the areas of trade and transit.
DPM Dar acknowledged the encouraging progress in political and commercial ties, while expressing progress in the security domain, especially in counterterrorism, continues to lag behind.
The Afghan acting foreign minister reaffirmed Afghanistan’s commitment to ensuring its territory is not used by any terrorist group against Pakistan or other nations.
Meanwhile, China told Afghanistan that Beijing was keen on exploring and mining minerals in Afghanistan and wanted Kabul to formally join its Belt and Road Initiative, the Afghan Taliban foreign ministry said. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a visit to Kabul held talks with Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, the ministry said in a statement, adding that both countries wanted to expand cooperation in a range of areas. Beijing will continue to support the Afghan government to achieve long-term peace and stability, Wang told Muttaqi, according to a readout of the meeting released by China’s foreign ministry.
China was willing to deepen mutual political trust with Afghanistan and step up cooperation in areas, including trade and agriculture, Wang said.
He called on Afghanistan to combat militant forces, adding that tighter security ties would provide a guarantee for bilateral economic cooperation.
“Wang Yi also mentioned that China intends to initiate practical mining activities this year,” the Afghan statement said.
In a separate meeting with the Afghan Taliban prime minister, Mohammad Hassan Akhund, Wang said “China will continue to uphold justice, oppose unilateral bullying, and engage in cooperation in various fields with Afghanistan”.
Wang urged Akhund’s government to take seriously Chinese concerns over “terrorist forces” and step up efforts to combat them, according to a readout of the meeting from Wang’s ministry. China was the first country to appoint an ambassador to Afghanistan under the Taliban and has sought to develop its ties with them. Earlier, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Islamabad on a three-day official visit to Pakistan, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and participating in high-level diplomatic engagements.
He was warmly received at Noor Khan Airbase by DPM/FM Dar. Senior officials from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as top diplomats from the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad were also present to welcome the distinguished guest, a DPM’s Office news release said.
In a vibrant cultural gesture, a group of children dressed in traditional Pakistani attire greeted Minister Wang with flowers, symbolising the deep-rooted friendship between the two nations.