Imran Khan Calls for Talks with Afghanistan to Tackle Rising Terrorism
Islamabad: Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has urged the government to engage in direct negotiations with Afghanistan, stressing that diplomacy is the only way to curb the growing threat of terrorism in Pakistan.
In a statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Khan said that during his tenure, his administration maintained direct communication with Afghan authorities, which helped in significantly reducing terrorist activities for three years.
Criticizing the current government, Khan pointed out that the foreign minister has not yet visited Afghanistan or initiated serious diplomatic efforts. He claimed that the rise in terrorism is linked to Pakistan’s shift in foreign policy, particularly its alignment with the Biden administration, which, according to him, has worsened the situation.
Khan also recalled his visit to Kabul in November 2020, where he met then-Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. The visit, aimed at improving bilateral ties, focused on regional stability, trade, and peace efforts. He had assured the Afghan leadership that Pakistan was committed to fostering cooperation for the benefit of both nations.
His remarks come as the Pakistani government claims that recent security threats in the country are linked to militant groups operating from Afghan territory. While the Pakistani government has yet to respond to Khan’s statement, the issue of Afghan-Pakistan relations remains critical in discussions on regional security.
