Pakistan to send two delegations to Afghanistan for tribal diplomacy, economic talks

Adviser to Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif has said that the provincial government will send two delegations to Afghanistan for talks.

The first delegation will be tasked with creating a conducive environment for talks and handling diplomatic matters, Geo TV reported.

The second one will comprise various stakeholders and discussions will focus on strengthening economic ties.

This comes amid a rise in terrorist attacks in Pakistan, which Islamabad has blamed on groups in Afghanistan.

The issue of terrorism remains a key problem for Pakistan which has urged Afghanistan to prevent its soil from being used by groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

However, the Islamic Emirate has repeatedly rejected these claims and has said they will not allow any individual or group to pose a threat to another country.

Owing to the KP’s security situation — including the months-long turmoil in the Kurram region — KP CM Gandapur in September 2024 put out a proposal of holding direct talks with Afghanistan to address terrorism concerns for lasting peace in the restive bordering regions, Geo TV reported.

The chief minister went on to reiterate his stance earlier this month saying that the KP government would send a jirga to the neighbouring country.