Terrorism still main obstacle to better ties with Kabul, says Foreign Ministry

Khaama Press

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry says terrorism remains the main hurdle in improving bilateral ties with Kabul, citing ongoing security concerns and cross-border threats.

Shafqat Ali Khan, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that terrorism remains the primary obstacle to improving bilateral relations with the Taliban-led administration in Afghanistan. His remarks were made during Pakistan’s weekly press briefing, as reported by Dawn on Friday, April 11.

Khan noted that while Pakistan has made diplomatic efforts to enhance ties with the Taliban government, the persistent security challenges pose a serious threat to progress. “We have tried to improve relations, but the main hurdle, as is evident, remains the security situation and the sanctuaries terrorists benefit from,” he said.

These statements reflect Pakistan’s ongoing concerns that militant activity inside its borders is being supported or enabled by elements operating from Afghanistan. Islamabad has previously accused the Taliban of failing to prevent extremist groups, particularly Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), from launching cross-border attacks.

The Taliban, however, have consistently denied such allegations. Officials in Kabul have reiterated that they do not allow Afghanistan territory to be used for operations against neighboring countries, including Pakistan, and argue that such claims are politically motivated.

Despite their shared interests in security and trade, both sides remain at odds over counterterrorism cooperation and intelligence sharing. Attempts at high-level dialogue have yet to produce substantial agreements on how to address cross-border militant threats.

For relations to meaningfully improve, analysts suggest both sides must increase transparency and coordination on security operations. As violence continues to hinder diplomacy, regional stability hinges on whether Pakistan and the Taliban can bridge their differences through credible actions and sustained dialogue.

Terrorism still main obstacle to better ties with Kabul, says Foreign Ministry