KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – A Pakistani delegation, led by Mohammad Sadiq, the newly appointed Special Envoy for Afghanistan, visited Kabul and met with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, and other authorities.
In posts on X today, the Pakistani envoy stated that his discussions with Taliban authorities focused on enhancing mutual cooperation in various areas and strengthening ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
During his meeting with the Taliban Foreign Minister, he stated that they had “agreed to work together to further strengthen bilateral cooperation as well as for peace and progress in the region.”
The Pakistani envoy also held a separate meeting with Sirajuddin Haqqani on Monday, during which both sides discussed “bilateral issues of common interest” and emphasized the need to strengthen “fraternal relations between the two countries.”
According to a statement from the Taliban Ministry of Interior, the Pakistani envoy emphasized the urgency of accelerating joint efforts to address security and political challenges.
“Given the current circumstances, we must accelerate our collaborative efforts to safeguard the relationship between our peoples and ensure regional stability and development,” Mohammad Sadiq was quoted as saying in the Taliban statement.
Earlier this month, Pakistan reappointed Mohammad Sadiq as the country’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan. He succeeded Asif Durani, who was dismissed in September due to “disagreements over Islamabad’s policy towards Afghanistan.”
Mohammad Sadiq served as Pakistan’s ambassador to Kabul from December 2008 to April 2014 and as the country’s special envoy from 2019 until his resignation in March 2023.
This is his first trip to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan since his reappointment. The visit comes amid strained relations between the Taliban and Pakistan over frequent border skirmishes and the issue of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Islamabad claims that its adversary, the TTP, which is based in Afghanistan and has intensified its attacks on Pakistani security forces in recent years, uses Afghan soil to launch attacks in Pakistan. It has repeatedly urged the Taliban to take action and prevent Afghan soil from being used for terrorism.
According to Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s former Special Envoy for Afghanistan, there are an estimated 6,000 TTP fighters and their families currently residing in Afghanistan.
The Taliban has recently begun relocating TTP members and their families away from the border region to Kabul, Ghazni, and northern provinces of Afghanistan, in a move aimed at easing tensions with Pakistan.
The Taliban had previously denied the presence of TTP leaders and fighters in Afghanistan, as well as their involvement in security incidents in Pakistan. Its spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, once said that they are not responsible for Pakistan’s security issues.
