Zalmay Khalilzad Calls for Political Solution Between Afghanistan, Pakistan

Following the killing of eight Pakistani security personnel in a car bombing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, concerns over rising tensions between Kabul and Islamabad have intensified once again.

Zalmay Khalilzad, former US special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation, warned about the consequences of continued mistrust between the two countries.

Khalilzad said Islamabad may hold Afghanistan responsible for the attack, but stressed that continued dialogue and reaching a political solution are essential to prevent further escalation between the two sides.

“I have pleaded repeatedly for a negotiated solution: a new agreement between Afghanistan and Pakistan with commitments by both countries to not allow their territory to be used by individuals or groups to threaten the security of the other, with monitoring by a trusted 3rd party,” Khalilzad said.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said the dispatch of a Pakistani delegation to Afghanistan has been delayed due to rising tensions in the Middle East.

He added that the security of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is directly linked to the situation in Afghanistan and that the delegation will soon travel to Afghanistan for talks and an assessment of the situation.

“We held a jirga yesterday with tribal elders and political leaders in Peshawar, and it was decided that a joint jirga should be convened because the security of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is directly connected to the situation in Afghanistan,” he said.

At the same time, several political analysts warned that the continued exchange of accusations between the two countries will not help resolve the crisis and could negatively affect political and economic ties, as well as the lives of people on both sides of the crossing.

Political analyst Sayed Muqaddam Amin said mistrust between Afghanistan and Pakistan remains strong, warning that if no mutually acceptable solution is found, tensions could further escalate and harm both countries.

Another political analyst, Shir Agha Rohani, said that according to the principles of international relations, both countries are obliged to maintain good neighborly relations to prevent people living along the Hypothetical Durand Line from suffering.

The remarks come as Pakistani officials have repeatedly claimed in recent weeks that some attacks inside Pakistan are being planned from Afghan territory, allegations consistently rejected by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.