ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday confirmed it has sent a delegation to the Chinese city of Urumqi for working-level talks with Afghanistan, saying the onus is on Kabul to take verifiable action against militancy, while maintaining that counterterrorism operations against militants inside Afghan territory continue.
Speaking at the weekly briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi also said Islamabad is pursuing parallel tracks of engagement and enforcement, remaining in contact with Washington and other international partners to reduce tensions.
Pakistan and Afghanistan have had strained relations for months, after dozens of people were killed in fighting in October last year. Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of harboring militants from the Pakistani Taliban, who have claimed responsibility for a series of deadly attacks targeting Pakistani civilians and security forces, as well as from the local offshoot of the Daesh group.
Andrabi said a Pakistani delegation is currently in China for talks with Afghan authorities as Islamabad continues both dialogue and counterterrorism operations.
“Pakistan has sent its delegation to Urumqi in line with its consistent position and long-standing practice of supporting a credible process that can help achieve a durable solution to sanctuaries across the border, to stop the cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan,” Andrabi said.
He stressed that responsibility lies with Kabul to act against militant groups operating from its soil.
“The burden of real process, however, lies with Afghanistan which must demonstrate visible and verifiable actions against terrorist groups using Afghan soil against Pakistan,” he added.
He also underscored continued engagement with Beijing.
“Pakistan has never shied away from dialogue on this issue and we remain engaged with the Chinese leadership as well on this issue as we remain engaged with other relevant issues.”
He said Pakistan is continuing its military campaign alongside diplomacy.
“I believe the operation is on. And our security forces I think took some action a few days ago as well. So, there is no change in that operation with respect to any talks taking place.”
Responding to remarks highlighting cooperation by Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, Andrabi said verbal assurances were not sufficient, adding that similar commitments had not been honored in the past.
“While we acknowledge these possible statements of intent, we await concrete and verifiable written assurances from the Taliban regime that their soil would not be used for terrorism against Pakistan.”
On the Middle East crisis, Andrabi said Pakistan’s facilitation efforts between Iran and the United States have been acknowledged by both sides, with Islamabad prepared to host talks aimed at a durable outcome.
“Obviously our role in this context is that of a facilitator. It is up to the relevant parties to determine the members of their delegation or the timings of these talks ... They have to come to the table and it is for them to decide.”
His comments came as Pakistan has actively engaged international stakeholders to create space for dialogue as part of broader efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.
