Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in a meeting with Pakistan’s Special Representative on Afghanistan, Asif Durrani, emphasized Islamabad’s desire to establish close ties with the Taliban.
“The Foreign Minister reviewed the ongoing situation in Afghanistan and reiterated desire to build close co-operative relations with Kabul.” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson tweeted on Friday.
Following the Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan, Pakistan promptly accepted the presence of Taliban diplomats in its country, maintaining an active embassy in Kabul. Pakistani authorities have consistently stressed the need to interact with the Taliban.
However, tensions have recently arisen between the Pakistani government and the Taliban due to the escalation of Tahreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) attacks in Pakistan. Islamabad claims that the Afghan Taliban provides sanctuary for the TTP in Afghanistan.
