Peshawar, February 16, 2025: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government is set to dispatch two delegations to Afghanistan as part of a diplomatic initiative aimed at fostering dialogue with Kabul, Adviser to the Chief Minister Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif announced on Sunday.
According to the terms of reference (ToRs), the first delegation will focus on diplomatic discussions and creating a conducive environment for negotiations, while the second will include various stakeholders.
The move comes amid escalating terrorist incidents in Pakistan, which Islamabad has repeatedly attributed to outlawed groups operating from Afghanistan—an allegation denied by the Taliban-led administration in Kabul. Pakistan has urged Afghanistan to prevent groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from using its territory to launch attacks.
A United Nations Security Council (UNSC) report recently highlighted links between the Afghan administration and the TTP, alleging logistical, operational, and financial support to the militant group. Meanwhile, statistics from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) indicate a 42% surge in terrorist attacks in KP and Balochistan last month compared to December 2024.
Given the deteriorating security situation, including prolonged unrest in the Kurram region, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had proposed direct talks with Afghanistan in September 2024 to address terrorism concerns. His proposal, backed by PTI founder Imran Khan, faced criticism from the federal government, which viewed it as undermining national policy.
Despite opposition, Gandapur reiterated his stance earlier this month at a session titled “National Unity Against Terrorism”, emphasizing that peace in KP is directly linked to the situation in Afghanistan. He called for structured and results-oriented negotiations with Afghan authorities.
The provincial government has appointed Barrister Saif as the focal person for the KP-Kabul talks. The ToRs outline the objective of strengthening cross-border tribal diplomacy and enhancing economic and social relations. Additionally, the KP government has pledged to coordinate with the federal government as it undertakes this key diplomatic effort.
