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Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pakistan upgrades ties with Afghanistan
Listen to article Pakistan on Friday officially confirmed that it was upgrading diplomatic ties with Afghanistan and would soon exchange ambassadors with Kabul, in a significant shift in Islamabad's policy towards Kabul. The announcement of upgrading ties was first made by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi last week when he hosted foreign ministers of Pakistan and Afghanistan in Beijing. On Friday, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who held a second meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister within a span of 10 days in Hong Kong, issued a statement, announcing the upgrading of ties with Kabul. "Pakistan-Afghanistan relations are on a positive trajectory after my very productive visit to Kabul with the Pakistan delegation on 19th April 2025," Dar said in a statement. "To maintain this momentum, I am pleased to announce the decision of the Government of Pakistan to upgrade the level of its Chargé d'Affaires in Kabul to the level of Ambassador," he added. "I am confident this step would further contribute towards enhanced engagement, deepen Pak-Afghan cooperation in economic, security, CT & trade areas and promote further exchanges between two fraternal countries," he further said. Pakistan and Afghanistan have maintained diplomatic presence in each other's capitals but the missions were headed by charged affairs and not the full time Ambassadors. Exchanging ambassadors means that Pakistan would move a step closer to recognizing the Taliban government. China was the first country which sent a full time Ambassador to Kabul and accepted the Taliban envoy in March this year. A senior Pakistani official defended the move, saying apart from China, other regional countries including Turkey and Russia were also contemplating appointing their full time Ambassadors to Kabul. It is believed that China was nudging both sides from behind the scenes to resolve their issues through dialogue. Sources said for the first time the Taliban government had shown not only willingness but initiated certain steps to rein in groups operating out of its territory. The Taliban government recently launched a crackdown on elements supporting groups inimical to Pakistan. Kabul in particularly targeted Afghan citizens, who joined the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Another major sign suggesting a shift in its approach was a statement by Senior Afghan Taliban commander Saeedullah Saeed, who on Wednesday warned militant factions against unauthorized jihad, particularly in Pakistan, saying such actions were against Shariah and the orders of the Islamic Emirate's leadership. Speaking at a police passing-out ceremony, Saeed said that fighting in any country, including Pakistan, without the explicit command of the Amir is not permissible. "Joining various groups to wage jihad abroad does not make one a true mujahid," he stated. "Only the Amir of the state has the authority to declare jihad — not individuals or groups." Saeed emphasized that those carrying out attacks independently or moving between regions to conduct operations cannot be classified as legitimate fighters under Islamic law. "Jihad based on personal ego or group loyalty is considered fasad (corruption), not legitimate resistance," he added. The issue of terrorism was one of the key talking points during the three-way talks in Beijing. The Chinese official read out said Wang Yi stressed the need for combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. He also called for joint cooperation to combat the menace of terrorism and cautioned against external interference. In the wake of recent escalation in tensions into a military conflict between India and Pakistan, New Delhi was trying to reach out to the Taliban government. Breaking from its decades-old policy, Indian External Affairs Minister S J Shankar spoke to the Afghan interim Foreign Minister. The move seems to be part of India's recalibration in order to put pressure on Pakistan. But the meeting in Beijing appears to have preempted that move. The Chinese foreign ministry statement suggested that there was great incentive for the Taliban government to work closely with Beijing and Islamabad.
India Today
2 days ago
- Business
- India Today
China steps in to stabilise Pakistan-Afghanistan ties amid rising security threats
In a quiet yet decisive move, China is emerging as the most influential external player working to de-escalate tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan. As Islamabad grapples with a resurgence of cross-border attacks by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Beijing has assumed the role of mediator, urging both sides to reset their fractured relationship for the sake of regional diplomatic interventionadvertisementThe turning point came during a recent trilateral meeting of foreign ministers from China, Pakistan and Afghanistan in Beijing. More than a diplomatic formality, the meeting helped revive stalled talks and catalyse a breakthrough in relations. With vested interests in securing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and maintaining peace along its western borders, China used its influence to urge the Afghan Taliban to make tangible commitments to address Pakistan's security concerns. One of Beijing's key successes was fostering an agreement for enhanced diplomatic engagement, marked by Pakistan appointing an ambassador to Kabul for the first time since the Taliban takeover in significantly, Chinese officials reportedly conveyed a firm message to the Afghan leadership: reining in anti-Pakistan militant groups is non-negotiable if Kabul seeks continued economic and diplomatic shift: From "Jihad" to "Fasaad"advertisementIn a rare and carefully worded public statement, senior Taliban commander Saeedullah Saeed issued a warning to militant factions in the region. He stated that any act of jihad carried out without the explicit authorisation of the Amir (supreme leader) is not only illegitimate but also constitutes fasaad (corruption) under Islamic law.'Only the Amir of the state has the authority to declare jihad — not individuals or groups,' Saeed asserted, emphasising that unauthorized violence stems from ego or group loyalty rather than genuine interpret this as a direct rebuke to TTP fighters and similar groups operating from Afghan territory. It also subtly acknowledges Chinese concerns, as ongoing instability threatens Beijing's multibillion-dollar investments in South and Central China stepped in?Securing CPEC & BRI: The $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has repeatedly come under threat from militant violence. Stabilising Pakistan's western border is key to protecting China's economic Zone Strategy: Sharing a narrow border with Afghanistan, China aims to prevent the spillover of extremist ideology into its restive Xinjiang region. A stable Afghanistan, supported by Pakistan, serves as a strategic Leverage: With the U.S. and Western allies largely disengaged from Afghanistan, China sees an opportunity to fill the diplomatic vacuum and position itself as a regional payoff for PakistanFor Pakistan, China's involvement is a diplomatic asset. It provides international legitimacy in its campaign against cross-border terrorism and heightens pressure on the Taliban to crack down on TTP sanctuaries. The Taliban's recent statements and willingness to re-engage diplomatically suggest that this pressure is beginning to yield now hopes to translate these developments into concrete security outcomes — including a measurable decline in militant attacks and enhanced intelligence cooperation from InMust Watch
Business Standard
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Retreat ceremony for public along Pak border to resume from May 21
Officials said on Monday that the event held daily in the evening at Attari, Hussainiwala and Sadki will be opened for public viewing from May 20 Kishore Singh The Border Security Force (BSF) has said the public flag-lowering retreat ceremony at three locations in Punjab along the Pakistan frontier will begin on Wednesday, about two weeks after it was stopped following Operation Sindoor by India in response to the Pahalgam attack. The Jalandhar headquartered Punjab frontier of the force said the ceremony will resume from Tuesday, but it will be open only for media persons. The public can participate from Wednesday, it said, adding the event time will be 6 pm. Officials said on Monday that the event held daily in the evening at Attari, Hussainiwala and Sadki will be opened for public viewing from May 20. ALSO READ: If US can extradite terrorists, Pak can give us Saeed, Lakhvi: Indian envoy The ceremony, however, will be curtailed as BSF troops will not shake hands with Pakistan Rangers, and the gates will not be opened during the flag-lowering process as declared earlier, officials had said. The flag was being lowered each day by BSF troops irrespective of the public presence, the officials clarified.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Afghan FM to visit Pakistan soon
Listen to article The Afghan Interim foreign minister is expected to travel to Islamabad soon on a first visit in two years, highlighting the growing high-level exchanges between the two neighbours in recent weeks. "He (Amir Khan Muttaqi) will visit Pakistan soon. Dates are being worked out," said a diplomatic source on Thursday. The source said the Afghan side has already accepted the invitation. According to a source, this will not be a daylong trip but a three-day trip where a whole gamut of relations would be discussed. In April Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar travelled to Kabul in a first visit by any Pakistani top diplomat in three years. The visit helped ease tensions between the two countries. The sources said Muttaqi's visit was part of efforts to increase high level exchanges. The two sides drew up a roadmap envisaging a series of visits by officials and ministers from both sides when a Pakistani delegation led by its special envoy Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq visited Kabul in the third week of March. The Afghan Taliban government's recent actions against groups posing a threat to Pakistan played a key role in the increased interaction between the two sides. Pakistan had long been urging Kabul to tackle the threat posed by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other outfits. But Kabul publicly denied their presence and privately expressed their inability to deal with them. However, Pakistan finally managed to convince the Kabul regime as it undertook certain steps including crackdown on Afghan nationals who were part of the TTP. The Afghan government also proceeded against Afghan nationals who were facilitating their fellow citizens to join the TTP. Those steps helped ease tensions between the two sides. In another major sign suggesting shift in its approach was a statement by Senior Afghan Taliban commander Saeedullah Saeed who, on Wednesday, warned militant factions against unauthorised jihad, particularly in Pakistan, saying such actions were against Shariah and the orders of the Islamic Emirate's leadership. Speaking at a police passing-out ceremony, Saeed said that fighting in any country, including Pakistan, without the explicit command of the Amir is not permissible. "Joining various groups to wage jihad abroad does not make one a true mujahid," he stated. "Only the Amir of the state has the authority to declare jihad — not individuals or groups." Saeed emphasized that those carrying out attacks independently or moving between regions to conduct operations cannot be classified as legitimate fighters under Islamic law. "Jihad based on personal ego or group loyalty is considered 'fasad' (corruption), not legitimate resistance," he added. He further stated that the Afghan leadership prohibited unauthorised entry into Pakistan, and any such act constitutes disobedience. "Groups attacking in the name of jihad are defying both Shariah and the authority of the Afghan Emirate," he warned. His public statement is seen as a result of recent efforts both by Pakistan and China urging the Kabul administration to change its approach towards these groups. Sources said Pakistan would continue to encourage the Taliban government to carry out such measures. In return for these steps, Pakistan and China are willing to support Kabul both economically and diplomatically. Pakistan already indicated that it was ready to upgrade ties with Afghanistan by exchanging Ambassadors in a major diplomatic win for the Afghan Taliban government.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Afghan Taliban commander issues warning to TTP
KABUL: A senior commander of the Afghan Taliban has issued a stern warning to militant factions operating under the banner of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) - also referred to as Khawarij -cautioning them against engaging in violent activities in Pakistan without the explicit approval of the Islamic Emirate's leadership. Addressing a police passing-out ceremony, Saeedullah Saeed, a senior figure within the Taliban ranks, said that Jihad can only be declared by the Amir (supreme leader) of an Islamic state and not by individuals or groups acting independently. 'Fighting in any country, including Pakistan, without the command of the Amir is against Shariah and considered Fasad (corruption), not legitimate Jihad,' Saeed said. He added that those who launch operations across borders based on group loyalty or personal motivations are defying Islamic principles as well as the authority of the Afghan leadership. TTP continues to jeopardise Pak-Afghan ties: SAPM Sadiq 'Joining different factions and carrying out jihad abroad does not make one a true Mujahid,' he asserted. 'Such actions are rooted in ego and factionalism, not religious duty.' The commander further clarified that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has prohibited any unauthorized movement across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, stressing that such actions amount to disobedience of the Emirate's leadership. Saeed's remarks come amid growing concerns over cross-border militancy and increased attacks inside Pakistan, many of which have been linked to groups affiliated with the banned TTP, some of whose factions are believed to operate from Afghan soil. Security analysts in Pakistan have welcomed the statement, viewing it as a potential step towards curbing militant activities along the porous border. Experts say the Taliban's official stance lends weight to Pakistan's narrative on counterterrorism, particularly in highlighting the distinction between legitimate resistance and terrorism masked as Jihad. 'This statement strengthens Pakistan's internal security narrative, helps isolate non-state actors engaged in violence, and supports Islamabad's diplomatic position internationally,' a senior defence analyst told Dawn on the condition of anonymity. The commander's warning also alluded to the involvement of foreign-backed groups in destabilizing the region. Analysts point out that factions operating under the Khawarij label, often referred to as Indian proxies by Pakistani officials, are attempting to justify their militant actions under religious pretexts — a tactic Saeed explicitly rejected. The use of the term Khawarij — historically used to denote rebels who deviate from mainstream Islamic teachings — has often been employed by the Afghan Taliban and Pakistani officials alike to delegitimise militant factions operating outside state authority. Saeed's remarks are being seen as an affirmation of the Taliban's evolving stance towards regional militancy, especially in the context of their own governance challenges and international isolation. The Afghan Taliban's position on cross-border militancy remains under close observation as Islamabad continues to press Kabul to take stronger action against groups that target Pakistan from Afghan territory. While Kabul has repeatedly denied hosting militants who threaten neighbouring countries, statements like those made by Saeed indicate a growing recognition within the Afghan Taliban of the need to assert control over rogue elements.
