Richard Lindsay, the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, has held meetings in Islamabad with Afghan Ambassador Ahmad Shakeeb and Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, to discuss regional security issues.

Lindsay said on X that in his meeting with the Afghan envoy, they also discussed the impact of the policies of the Islamic Emirate on women and girls.

Pakistan’s envoy Mohammad Sadiq noted that his talks with Lindsay focused on the regional security situation, “particularly the urgent challenge posed by cross-border terrorist attacks.”

“We also exchanged views on the latest regional security developments and broader security challenges,” he said. “We emphasized the importance of continued cooperation and coordination to address shared concerns and promote regional stability.”

Tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan have escalated over security issues. Trade between the two neighbors remains suspended since October last year.

Abdul Hakim Sharei, the Minister of Justice of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, has stressed that public office and responsibility within the Islamic system must be regarded as a means of serving the people, not as a tool for personal gain or commercial interests.

The minister made the remarks on Tuesday during a meeting of the Ministry of Justice’s Leadership Council.

Addressing the gathering, Sharei said that piety is the most essential quality of an official in an Islamic system, noting that a pious individual works with sincerity and contentment, seeking only the pleasure of Almighty Allah and the welfare of the people rather than material privileges or benefits.

He further urged employees of the Ministry of Justice to perform their duties with honesty, integrity, and a strong sense of trust, to protect public funds, and to work collectively toward strengthening the Islamic system.

Sharei also emphasized that his objective in leading the Ministry of Justice and the Commission for the Prevention of Land Usurpation is solely to strengthen the system and ensure the implementation of Islamic Sharia—principles for which, he said, many sacrifices have been made over the years.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate has failed to make any serious commitment in response to Pakistan’s demands to curb the activities of militant groups.

Speaking at a security workshop in Islamabad focused on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sharif said Pakistan did not want to suspend trade with Afghanistan, but ongoing security threats had “forced” Islamabad to close crossings.

He said Pakistan had made repeated diplomatic efforts to address its concerns, but Kabul had shown little willingness to commit to restraining militant groups operating from Afghan territory.

“This time, it must be decided whether Afghanistan wants to live peacefully or not,” Sharif said.

The prime minister added that while Afghans are “our brothers and sisters,” the Islamic Emirate should at least show compassion for its own people by preventing militant activity. He said Pakistan would nonetheless continue efforts to resolve the issue through dialogue.

Sharif said terrorism had largely been eradicated in Pakistan by 2018, but attacks have since resurged, now occurring almost daily in different parts of the country.

He also highlighted Pakistan’s long-standing role in hosting Afghan refugees, saying nearly four million Afghans have lived in Pakistan over several decades, often supported by Pakistan’s own resources despite international assistance.

“We did not do any favour; we fulfilled our responsibilities,” Sharif said. “But the way they are paying us back is very upsetting.”

Referring to the Doha Agreement, Sharif said Afghanistan had committed to preventing terrorist groups from using its soil against other countries, a pledge he said has not been honoured.

“What is good for Afghanistan is good for Pakistan, and what is good for Pakistan is good for Afghanistan,” he said, stressing that peaceful coexistence remains the only viable path forward.

Pakistani officials have repeatedly claimed that attacks inside Pakistan are planned from Afghan territory.

The Islamic Emirate has however continued to reject these allegations, insisting that Afghanistan is not responsible for Pakistan’s “security failures.”