Awami National Party Stresses Diplomacy Between Afghanistan, Pakistan

Pakistan’s concerns over what Islamabad calls “terrorist threats emanating from Afghan soil” were raised during meetings between the country’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister and senior British officials in London.

Mohammad Ishaq Dar, during his official visit to the United Kingdom, met with UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and the country’s national security adviser.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry wrote: “He also expressed serious concern over terrorist threats emanating from Afghan soil and the threat posed by terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan to Pakistan’s peace and security. Both sides emphasized the importance of continued engagement to advance peace, stability and cooperation in the region and beyond.”

Khalil Ahmad Nadem, a political analyst, said: “Pakistan’s demands from Afghanistan are impractical and illogical. It is therefore shifting the blame onto Afghanistan, while Pakistan itself has been a source of training terrorists for the past half-century.”

The Awami National Party has called on the Pakistani government to seriously pursue, through diplomacy, improvements in its strained relations with neighboring countries, particularly Afghanistan.

Aimal Wali Khan, the party’s leader, said the current situation has caused the greatest harm to people on both sides, particularly those in Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Aimal Wali Khan, leader of Pakistan’s Awami National Party, added: “We believe that war is not a permanent solution to any problem. Diplomacy, dialogue and political means are the only path to lasting peace. But we also call on the government to address Pakistan’s highly strained relations with neighboring countries with the same seriousness and diplomatic approach. In particular, relations with Afghanistan are currently very concerning. The borders are closed, trade has been affected, and people on both sides of the border are facing difficulties.”

Yesterday, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the country was ready to hold government-level talks with the Islamic Emirate.

The Islamic Emirate has repeatedly emphasized that it does not want continued tensions with any country, particularly Pakistan, and is seeking to restore relations between the two countries to normal.