France has begun talks with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to facilitate the deportation of Afghan nationals from France, a diplomatic source told AFP on Wednesday.

The discussions mark a significant development as Paris has maintained no diplomatic relations with the IEA since it returned to power in August 2021. France’s embassy in Kabul also remains closed.

The diplomatic source said France, like a number of other European countries, has initiated a “technical dialogue” with the IEA to facilitate the direct removal of Afghan nationals living in France without legal status who are considered a threat to public order.

France is among about 20 European Union countries, including Germany, Belgium and Sweden, seeking to accelerate the return of Afghan nationals, particularly those convicted of crimes.

The source did not provide an estimate of the number of people who could be deported. However, another source familiar with the matter told AFP that the number could be “hundreds.”

France’s Foreign Ministry did not respond to questions about whether IEA representatives could travel to France as part of efforts to speed up deportation procedures.

The diplomatic source stressed that the talks did not represent a change in France’s broader position on Afghanistan.

“This technical dialogue does not call our position on Afghanistan into question,” the source said, adding that France would continue to support the Afghan population, particularly Afghan women.

The IEA, which is not formally recognised by the European Union, has sought greater international engagement and recognition since returning to power.

A June meeting between IEA officials and EU lawmakers drew criticism from human rights organisations and left-wing groups in the European Parliament.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stressed that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s interest, while calling for “concrete and verifiable” action against terrorist groups that Islamabad alleges are operating from Afghan territory.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office said Sharif made the remarks on Wednesday during a meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres in Islamabad.

The Pakistani prime minister expressed serious concern over what he described as “terrorism originating from Afghanistan.”

He said Pakistan wants a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, but stressed the need for concrete action against groups that Islamabad accuses of carrying out attacks from Afghan territory.

Separately, Guterres met with Pakistan army chief, Syed Asim Munir who also raised terrorism concerns.

The meetings come amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with Islamabad repeatedly accusing armed groups of using Afghan territory to launch attacks against Pakistan. Officials of the Islamic Emirate have repeatedly rejected the allegations and said Afghanistan’s territory will not be used against other countries.

Amir Khan Muttaqi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met on Wednesday with Mohammad Reza Bahrami, a representative of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the sidelines of the eighth meeting of the Moscow Format and discussed ways to expand bilateral relations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the two sides exchanged views on Afghanistan-Iran relations, regional developments, and ways to strengthen mutual cooperation between the two countries.

Muttaqi expressed appreciation for Iran’s engagement with Afghanistan and its constructive participation in regional meetings, emphasizing the need to further expand relations between Kabul and Tehran.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Reza Bahrami stressed the importance of relations between the two countries and shared Iran’s views on regional cooperation, stability, and expanding economic engagement between Afghanistan and Iran.