ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday reminded Afghanistan that terrorism remains a major impediment to improving bilateral relations, amid ongoing concerns over militant sanctuaries across the border.
“We have been trying to improve relations but the major roadblock, of course, remains the security situation and the sanctuaries enjoyed by terrorists,” Foreign Office spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan told reporters at the weekly media briefing.
Mr Khan made the comments while responding to a question about the anticipated meeting of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Coordination Committee (JCC), a forum both countries had agreed to reconvene as part of efforts to strengthen trade and economic cooperation.
He declined to provide a date for the JCC meeting, saying: “We will share information once more concrete things are available.”
Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Amb Muhammad Sadiq visited Kabul last month where both sides agreed to sustain engagement on key issues including security, trade, and refugees.
One of the key understandings reportedly reached during the visit was to hold the JCC meeting before mid-April. Afghan Commerce Minister Nooruddin Azizi was also expected to visit Islamabad after Eid.
“Special Representative’s visit to Kabul was very successful and certain understandings have been reached in terms of the follow-up action,” Mr Khan said, noting progress in bilateral discussions.
However, tensions have remained high. Speaking at a recent seminar hosted by a think tank, Amb Sadiq warned that “all deals with Afghanistan are off if the Taliban authorities fail to address Islamabad’s” mounting concerns about terrorism emanating from Afghan territory.
Mr Khan avoided commenting directly on Amb Sadiq’s statement, saying he had not seen it.
Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, terrorism has emerged as a growing source of strain between the two countries. Pakistan has accused the Taliban of allowing militant groups, “especially the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)” to operate from Afghan soil, intensifying cross-border attacks and undermining diplomatic efforts.
Islamabad, once hopeful that a Taliban-led Afghanistan would bring a more cooperative regional partner, has since grown wary as militant activity has surged. The lack of action against these groups has led to repeated diplomatic friction and cast a shadow over economic and security collaborations.
India’s Waqf Act
The FO also rejected India’s recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, describing it as a discriminatory move that infringes on the religious and economic rights of Indian Muslims and could deepen their marginalisation.
