Mohammad Sadiq, the Pakistani Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Affairs, visited Kabul unannounced and met with Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s Interior Minister. The meeting addressed the escalating security and political challenges affecting both nations.
According to Taliban government sources, Mr. Haqqani acknowledged the shared cultural and historical ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan, emphasizing the need for “accelerated joint efforts” to resolve pressing issues. He stated that fostering collaboration would safeguard bilateral relations and contribute to regional stability and development.
During the meeting, Mohammad Sadiq extended condolences on behalf of Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif for the recent assassination of Khalilur Rehman Haqqani, the Taliban’s former Minister of Refugees.
This visit comes amidst heightened tensions between Kabul and Islamabad, which have persisted since the Taliban assumed power in Afghanistan in 2021. Pakistan has accused the Taliban government of failing to take sufficient action against anti-Pakistan groups, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad claims operates from Afghan territory and has intensified its attacks on Pakistani targets in recent years.
In response, the Taliban government has denied these allegations, accusing Pakistan of overstating its internal challenges. Despite these mutual recriminations, regional dynamics and international pressures push both nations toward reducing tensions and seeking practical solutions to shared challenges.
