Latest news with #Afghanistan-related
Arab News
22-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan's special envoy visits Afghanistan amid deepening tensions over militancy
ISLAMABAD: A senior Pakistani diplomat designated to exclusively deal with Afghanistan-related matters is on a three-day visit to the neighboring country, the foreign office announced on Saturday, as bilateral ties between the two nations hit a low point amid a surge in militant attacks in Pakistan. Pakistan-Afghanistan relations have remained tense in recent months due to a mix of security, political and border issues, with Islamabad accusing the Taliban-led interim government in Kabul of providing safe haven to anti-Pakistan militant groups facilitating cross-border attacks. Kabul has denied the allegations. The friction escalated after a recent targeting of a passenger train in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, claimed by the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). Pakistani officials said the BLA fighters remained in contact with 'handlers' based in Afghanistan during the attack that lasted for two days and involved hundred of hostages. 'At the direction of Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, Special Representative for Afghanistan, Amb. Muhammad Sadiq Khan, is undertaking an official visit to Afghanistan from 21-23 March 2025 to discuss Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral relation,' the foreign office said in a social media post, without providing further details. Pakistan launched a nationwide deportation campaign targeting undocumented foreigners, mostly Afghans, in November 2023, shortly after a series of deadly suicide bombings that officials blamed on Afghan nationals. The move, which added to diplomatic tensions between the two countries, has so far led to the repatriation of more than 800,000 Afghans. Many of them had lived in Pakistan since fleeing the Soviet invasion of their country in 1979. The Pakistani government earlier this month also directed Afghanistan Citizen Card holders to leave the country by March 31, warning they would face deportation if they failed to comply.
Express Tribune
16-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
JUI-F to decide on possible PTI alliance after eid, says Fazl
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) will decide on a potential alliance with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) after Eidul Fitr, party chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said on Saturday. Speaking to reporters in Islamabad, Fazl confirmed that JUI-F's consultative council will deliberate on whether to join PTI in launching an anti-government movement. He noted that while tensions with PTI have eased, the party remains internally divided, with its key leaders, including founding chairman Imran Khan and vice chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, still behind bars. The JUI-F chief cautioned that unilateral political decisions could escalate tensions in the country. He added that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif could play a crucial role in the current political landscape. Fazl also underscored the need for dialogue on Balochistan and indicated that JUI-F could consider playing a role in Afghanistan-related matters if requested by the state. The PTI has been actively reaching out to opposition leaders following Khan's directive to build an anti-government alliance. In January, a PTI delegation formally invited Fazl to join the opposition bloc, Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP). More recently, PTI's Asad Qaiser and JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza formed a committee to facilitate further discussions. Despite these efforts, a formal working relationship remains elusive. JUI-F has conveyed its conditions and concerns to PTI.
