Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has rejected allegations by Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi that Islamabad is linked to the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), further highlighting tensions between the two countries over regional security.

Speaking at the ministry’s weekly briefing on Friday, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson dismissed the allegations and said the Islamic Emirate administration was responsible for the security situation in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan and Nuristan provinces.

The spokesperson also alleged that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and other militant groups were operating from safe havens in Afghanistan. He claimed that Pakistani authorities had shared specific information about the locations of these groups through political and other channels.

The Pakistani official further defended his country’s military strikes, describing them as targeted and precise. On the other hand, however, the Islamic Emirate has stated that civilians were targeted in airstrikes by the Pakistani military regime.

However, Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate has repeatedly rejected Pakistani allegations that Afghan territory is being used to launch attacks against Pakistan. Afghan officials have maintained that Pakistan’s security challenges stem from its own internal issues and developments over several years.

The two countries also remain divided over the outcome of the eighth Moscow Format meeting. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Islamabad had participated constructively and clearly presented its concerns during the discussions.

Asked why the meeting concluded without a joint statement, the spokesperson said the Afghan delegation had not agreed to the wording used in previous years, describing the disagreement as a substantive issue rather than a matter of language alone.

At the meeting, Muttaqi accused Pakistan of using ISKP and former Afghan government forces in what he described as a new campaign to destabilize Afghanistan and the wider region. He referred to security incidents in Badakhshan and Nuristan in support of his claims.

The latest exchange of accusations underscores continuing disagreements between Kabul and Islamabad over militancy, crossing security and regional stability.

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has called on regional countries to maintain their support for Afghanistan, stressing that a stable and peaceful Afghanistan would benefit the entire region.

Speaking at a consultative meeting of the leaders of Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan, Japarov highlighted the importance of continued assistance to the Afghan people and stronger regional cooperation to address shared security challenges.

He emphasized the need to enhance cooperation among regional countries to combat terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime.

Japarov also underscored the importance of continued humanitarian assistance, urging regional countries to uphold their commitments to supporting Afghanistan.

Herat Governor Maulana Islam Jar has met with an Iranian delegation led by Mohammad Mohsen Zanganeh, a member of Iran’s Islamic Consultative Assembly, to discuss expanding bilateral trade, strengthening economic ties and facilitating cross-border transit.

According to a statement from the Herat Governor’s Press Office, the meeting was also attended by Farah Governor Mohammad Hafiz Mujahid and Nimroz Governor Abdul Manan Mahmoud.

Officials from both countries discussed ways to increase commercial exchanges and improve the use of western border crossings to facilitate the movement of goods between Afghanistan and Iran.

Welcoming the Iranian delegation, Islam Jar said Afghanistan had made progress in the economic, industrial and commercial sectors, while major infrastructure projects were also underway.

He also highlighted the Islamic Emirate’s efforts to combat drug cultivation and trafficking, saying progress had been made in this area.

The Herat governor called for greater attention to expanding trade and transit through Herat, Farah and Nimroz provinces, stressing that increased commercial activity could benefit both countries.

According to the statement, Islam Jar said the Islam Qala, Abu Nasr Farahi and Nimroz border crossings were ready to operate around the clock to facilitate trade and transit.

Meanwhile, Zanganeh thanked the Afghan people for their hospitality and said Afghanistan had made considerable progress over the past five years.

He expressed support for expanding trade and transit cooperation and increasing the movement of goods through the three western border crossings, pledging to work towards advancing these objectives.

The meeting reflects ongoing efforts by Afghanistan and Iran to strengthen economic cooperation, improve cross-border transportation and expand regional trade connectivity.