Former U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad has called for an end to what he described as Pakistan’s “double game” over its alleged support for militant groups operating in Afghanistan, urging the two neighbouring countries to open a new chapter in their relations.

In a post on X, Khalilzad said he believed the past 30 years had demonstrated a significant gap between Pakistan’s public statements and its actions regarding armed groups involved in fighting in Afghanistan.

Referring to the period of the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan, Khalilzad alleged that Pakistan provided sanctuary and support to militants fighting U.S. and Afghan forces while publicly denying doing so.

“Playing this double game must stop,” Khalilzad wrote, adding that it was time for Afghanistan and Pakistan to “turn a new page.”

He called for greater economic cooperation and development between the two countries and said they should agree not to allow their respective territories to be used to threaten each other’s security.

Khalilzad’s comments come amid renewed tensions between Kabul and Islamabad over cross-border militancy and security allegations.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan of allowing Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups to operate from Afghan territory. Kabul has denied providing sanctuary to groups planning attacks against Pakistan.

The dispute has increasingly spilled into military confrontation. Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan on September 21, saying it had targeted militant positions, while Afghan officials and the United Nations said three civilians, including a woman and a girl, were killed. Pakistan said the strikes killed 28 militants.

Islamabad has also continued to accuse Kabul of failing to prevent attacks originating from Afghan territory. Pakistani authorities have said their military actions are carried out in response to security threats and in self-defence.

Pakistan, meanwhile, has rejected recent Afghan allegations that its security forces or intelligence agencies were involved in violence in Afghanistan’s Nuristan province, calling the claims baseless.

Against this backdrop, Khalilzad said improved relations should focus on economic cooperation, development and mutual security guarantees, with neither country allowing its territory to be used against the other.

Trade between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan reached $581 million in the past six months, officials in Afghanistan’s western Herat province said.

The figure was discussed during a meeting between Herat Governor Noor Ahmad Islam Jar and a Kazakh delegation led by Yerkin Tukumov, Kazakhstan’s special representative for Afghanistan.

Tukumov stressed the need to expand transit capacity and remove customs barriers to facilitate increased trade between the two countries. He also invited Afghan officials to attend a joint economic meeting scheduled to take place in Kazakhstan.

Islam Jar highlighted Herat’s strategic location and security, describing the province as having significant potential to serve as a hub for investment and regional trade.

Afghanistan and Kazakhstan have previously discussed expanding trade in agricultural products, including Afghan agricultural exports in exchange for flour imports from Kazakhstan.

The two sides have also reached understandings on cooperation over the Torghundi-Herat railway project, which is intended to strengthen transport and trade links.

The latest discussions come as Kabul and Astana work on a bilateral economic cooperation roadmap, with the two countries aiming to increase annual trade to $3 billion.

British police have arrested five men on suspicion of explosives offences and preparing a terrorist act near RAF Fairford, a UK air base used by the United States military, authorities said.

The arrests were made early Sunday after police received a report of three suspicious vans travelling towards the airfield in Gloucestershire, western England.

US President Donald Trump said the suspects had been under investigation by British and US authorities and were looking to cause “big damage” to the base.

“The arrest in the UK was fantastic,” Trump told reporters, praising cooperation between US and British authorities.

Counter Terrorism Policing said five men remained in custody and that officers were working with partner agencies to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Police placed a 400-metre cordon around the area while bomb disposal experts examined the vehicles. About 85 homes in a nearby village were evacuated, while armed officers patrolled the area.

RAF Fairford has been used by US forces for military operations against Iran. Security was also increased at other UK bases used by the US, including RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall.

A source familiar with the investigation told Reuters an Iranian-linked motive was considered the most likely, while possible Russian involvement or an Islamist plot were also being examined.

No motive has been publicly confirmed by police.

The arrests come amid heightened security concerns in Britain following Iranian warnings over the use of UK bases by US forces. Russia has also been accused by Western governments of supporting sabotage operations in Europe, allegations Moscow has denied.