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Contact group on Afghanistan hits roadblock over Pakistan’s gripe with India
The proposal to establish a regional contact group on Afghanistan has hit a roadblock due to Pakistan’s objection to India’s participation, the Express Tribune reported on Saturday.
The initiative for a regional contact group stemmed from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s proposal in February, following a two-day conference in Doha aimed at charting a roadmap for Afghanistan’s future.
This group was envisioned to include Afghanistan’s immediate neighbors and other relevant stakeholders. However, Pakistan’s objection to India’s participation in the proposed regional group has led to a deadlock, the Express Tribune reported citing diplomatic sources.
Historically, Pakistan and India have viewed each other’s roles in Afghanistan with suspicion. Islamabad’s resistance to New Delhi’s inclusion in the regional contact group stems from its longstanding concerns that India undermines stability in Afghanistan.
While Pakistan’s relations with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) remain strained, India has intensified its engagement with Kabul in recent months, according to the newspaper.
The proposal to establish a regional group was part of broader UN efforts to enhance coordination in dealing with the IEA-led government. A UN delegation is scheduled to visit Kabul soon as a follow-up to the Doha conference, aiming to urge the IEA government to fulfill its international commitments.
The upcoming UN delegation’s visit seeks to convey to the IEA government the adverse consequences of its hardline stance, the Express Tribune reported.
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Muttaqi meets Norway’s new special envoy, discusses political and regional cooperation
The Islamic Emirate’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has held talks with Bjørn Johansen, Norway’s newly appointed Special Representative for Afghanistan, focusing on political and regional developments.
In the meeting, Johansen said Norway maintains historic ties with Afghanistan and has consistently sought to play a constructive role in supporting stability in the country, Afghan foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
He noted what he described as noticeable progress in Afghanistan in areas including security, counter-narcotics efforts, and other sectors, adding that further cooperation should be expanded through the normalization of relations with the international community.
Muttaqi, welcomed Norway’s continued engagement and cooperation with the Islamic Emirate, saying that the current stability in Afghanistan should be utilized effectively. He also emphasized that progress made by the Afghan authorities could help broaden future cooperation.
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Slovenia contributes €200,000 to support UNFPA humanitarian work in Afghanistan
The Government of Slovenia has contributed €200,000 to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to support humanitarian work in Afghanistan, focusing on reproductive health and protection services for women and girls.
According to UNFPA, the funding will help expand access to essential maternal and reproductive health care across the country, particularly in areas where services remain limited and humanitarian needs are high.
UNFPA said the support will be used to reach vulnerable women and girls with life-saving health assistance and protection services as part of its ongoing response in Afghanistan.
The contribution comes as international aid agencies continue efforts to sustain basic health services amid ongoing economic and humanitarian challenges in the country.
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Afghanistan rejects Pakistan’s allegations as ‘baseless’
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has rejected recent accusations by Pakistani officials claiming that attacks inside Pakistan were planned from Afghan territory, describing the allegations as “baseless.”
Hamdullah Fitrat, Deputy Spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, said Afghanistan believes regional issues should be addressed through dialogue, mutual respect, and genuine cooperation rather than accusations, emotional rhetoric, or threats.
He reaffirmed that Afghan territory would not be used against any country and stressed that no group or individual would be allowed to carry out activities that threaten regional peace and stability.
The remarks came after Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry reportedly summoned Afghanistan’s Chargé d’Affaires in Islamabad on Monday and handed over a formal protest note regarding an attack on a police post in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Pakistani authorities alleged that the attack had been planned from inside Afghanistan.
According to reports, the explosion occurred on Saturday evening in the Fathkhel area of Bannu, killing 15 police officers and injuring four others, including one civilian.
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