Latest News
Stoltenberg says peace talks remain fragile and violence unacceptably high
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on the eve of the NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday that the alliance will “closely consult” on the way forward in Afghanistan.
“NATO has significantly adjusted our presence as part of the peace process. However, peace talks remain fragile and the level of violence remains unacceptably high, including the Taliban attacks on civilians,” Stoltenberg said.
Stoltenberg also said the Taliban must reduce violence, negotiate in good faith and live up to their commitment to stop cooperating with international terrorist groups.
Speaking at a press conference Stoltenberg said that all allies support the Afghan peace process.
“No ally wants to stay in Afghanistan longer than necessary, but the threat of terrorism must be considered,” Stoltenberg added.
Stoltenberg emphasized that NATO strongly supports the Afghan peace process in Afghanistan.
“This is the best chance for a lasting political solution,” he added.
He also said that NATO’s top priority is that Afghanistan does not become a safe haven for terrorists.
“We also realize that one of the best weapons we have in the fight against terrorism is to train local forces,” Stoltenberg told reporters.
“Our common goal is clear. Afghanistan should never again serve as a haven for terrorists to attack our homelands. So our presence is conditions-based. While no ally wants to stay in Afghanistan longer than necessary, we will not leave before the time is right,” he added.
Hamid Karzai, former president of Afghanistan, has expressed concern over recent developments along the Durand Line, saying Pakistan has increased military and economic pressure on villages and residents living near the line.
In a statement, Karzai said the apparent purpose of these pressures is to push residents of Durand Line areas to seek help from Pakistani institutions for resolving security and other local issues.
He added that, amid this situation, some tribal elders from both sides of the Durand Line recently signed documents described as “peace agreements,” which were later officially welcomed by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to Karzai, these developments amount to an effort by Pakistan to legitimize the Durand Line and represent an action against Afghanistan’s national sovereignty.
The former Afghan president also urged the relevant Afghan authorities to provide the public with a clear explanation regarding the recent agreements and developments along the Durand Line.
Latest News
SAARC failure pushes Pakistan toward trilateral ties with Afghanistan, China, Bangladesh: Dar
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar has said that the failure of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is pushing Pakistan toward exploring trilateral cooperation frameworks involving Afghanistan, China, and Bangladesh.
Speaking at the South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) Conference in Lahore on Friday, Dar said SAARC has “unfortunately not been able to kick off,” limiting regional economic integration and cooperation.
He said Pakistan is now looking at alternative regional arrangements to strengthen economic connectivity and trade, including trilateral formats such as China–Pakistan–Afghanistan and China–Pakistan–Bangladesh.
Dar stressed that South Asia cannot remain in “isolation,” noting that the region, home to nearly two billion people, is missing significant economic opportunities due to weak cooperation among neighbouring countries.
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established in 1985 to promote economic and regional integration among South Asian countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
The organisation was designed to encourage cooperation in areas such as trade, development, education, and cultural exchange. However, in recent years, SAARC’s effectiveness has been significantly limited due to political tensions between member states, particularly between India and Pakistan, leading to stalled summits and reduced regional engagement.
As a result, regional economic cooperation in South Asia has largely remained underdeveloped compared to other regional blocs around the world.
Latest News
IEA leaders contact Maulana Fazlur Rehman to express condolences over Sheikh Idris’s death
According to a statement issued by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan (JUI-F), senior leaders of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) contacted JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to express condolences following the killing of prominent religious scholar Sheikh Muhammad Idris in Charsadda.
The statement said that the callers included Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, Interior Minister Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, and spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid.
According to JUI-F media cell, the Afghan leadership expressed sorrow over Sheikh Idris’s death and prayed for his elevated status. They also strongly condemned his killing and said they share the grief of the bereaved family and religious community.
The statement further added that the Islamic Emirate expressed solidarity with JUI-F, religious scholars, and students, and said that the people of Afghanistan share the grief of the Pakistani people over the incident.
Sheikh Idris, a senior member of JUI-F was shot dead by armed motorcyclists in the Utmanzai area of Charsadda on May 5, while he was traveling to a madressah. Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack.
Karzai: Pakistan seeking to legitimize Durand Line, authorities must clarify
Los Angeles to welcome the world with historic FIFA World Cup 2026 opening event
SAARC failure pushes Pakistan toward trilateral ties with Afghanistan, China, Bangladesh: Dar
Canada to host opening ceremony for FIFA World Cup 2026 in Toronto
Afghanistan rises 7 places to 21st in FIFA Futsal World Rankings
Bayat Power extends gas supply deal with Afghan Gas
Etihad Airways to expand Kabul–Abu Dhabi flights to daily service amid surging demand
Afghanistan’s new cricket head coach Richard Pybus arrives in Kabul
Afghanistan moves toward self-sufficiency in car battery production
Germany to launch online visa system for Afghan study and work applicants in Pakistan
Tawsia: Discussion on Afghanistan’s economic path and position
Tahawol: Pressure on Afghan refugees from Tajikistan to Europe discussed
Saar: Ongoing criticism of Pakistan’s Afghanistan policy discussed
Tahawol: Diplomatic turn in Iran–US confrontation discussed
Saar: Expanding interaction between countries and IEA discussed
-
Business1 day agoNew Afghanistan-China transport corridor launched via Turkmenistan
-
Latest News4 days agoPakistan’s Achakzai pushes for Afghanistan dialogue amid economic strain
-
Business3 days agoAfghanistan presses Chinese contractor over delays in Mes Aynak copper project
-
Business3 days agoUzbekistan launches new cargo corridor linking China and Afghanistan
-
Latest News4 days agoFood prices surge 20% in Afghanistan as Hormuz crisis disrupts supply routes
-
Latest News5 days agoAustrian interior minister heads to Uzbekistan to finalize Afghan deportation deal
-
Sport5 days agoAll eyes on Jeddah as AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2026 kicks off
-
International Sports4 days agoMumbai Indians pull off record chase as IPL action continues