Afghan interior minister welcomes ‘positive remarks’ by Pakistan’s foreign minister

Afghanistan’s Interior Minister, Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, on Sunday welcomed recent remarks by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, praising a statement by a gathering of religious scholars in Kabul that stressed on avoiding use of Afghan soil against other countries.

Speaking at a ceremony honoring Kabul’s mayor, Haqqani also commended a separate statement by Pakistani religious scholars in Karachi, urging both governments to resolve their differences through dialogue.

“We would appreciate it if positive engagement and efforts to strengthen people-to-people ties between the two countries continue,” Haqqani said. He called on Pakistan to support Afghanistan’s rebuilding rather than pursue destabilizing activities and reassured the international community that Afghan soil would not be used against any other nation.

Tensions between the two neighbors remain high, with Islamabad accusing Afghanistan-based militants of carrying out recent attacks in Pakistan, including suicide bombings involving Afghan nationals. Kabul denies the charges, emphasizing it cannot be held accountable for security incidents inside Pakistan. The two sides also clashed fiercely in October, resulting in dozens of casualties.