Khalilzad calls for Afghanistan-Pakistan negotiations after Kabul explosions

Former U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, has called for negotiations between Kabul and Islamabad to deal with “terrorist sanctuaries” after two explosions went off in Kabul on Thursday.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that the strikes were carried out by Pakistan targeting TTP leader Noor Wali Mehsud.

The Islamic Emirate, however, has said that it will investigate the explosions.

Khalilzad in a post on X warned that Pakistan’s recent airstrikes against Afghanistan’s capital represent a “huge escalation” that could endanger stability in both countries.

Khalilzad said the strikes pose “dangerous risks” and urged both Islamabad and Kabul to avoid further military confrontation.

According to him, TTP operatives have recently been active inside Pakistan, targeting ISIS and killing several of its leaders. He alleged that Pakistan, in turn, has been “recklessly backing ISIS operatives” against Afghanistan and its own Baloch nationalist insurgency, while Afghan authorities have been “permissive toward the TTP.”

“Military escalation between Pakistan and Afghanistan is not the answer,” Khalilzad cautioned. “It is unlikely to work and will only increase death and destruction in both countries.”

He instead called for “negotiations between Kabul and Islamabad” to address the presence of terrorist sanctuaries and cross-border militancy along the Durand Line.