Ishaq Dar: Islamabad’s Efforts Failed to Rebuild Ties with Kabul

DIDPress: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister and Deputy PM said despite repeated efforts by Islamabad, formal diplomatic relations with Afghanistan have not been restored since 2021, and talks with the Taliban have so far yielded no tangible results in rebuilding mutual trust.

Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister and Deputy PM, said at a regional meeting in Kuala Lumpur that formal diplomatic ties with Afghanistan have been cut off for the past four years.

No progress has been made despite Islamabad’s persistent attempts to restore these relations, underlined Ishaq Dar.

“Since the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan, there has been no official interaction between the two governments. Afghanistan is our neighbor, and its peace and stability are vital for Pakistan’s security. However, since 2021, our efforts to revive diplomatic relations have been unsuccessful,” said Dar.

Pakistani Foreign Minister referred to his official visit to Kabul on April 19, 2025, describing it as a serious effort to initiate dialogue and rebuild trust between the two countries.

“During the trip, I held direct talks with Taliban officials with the goal of reducing tensions and starting constructive engagement,” he added. 

Dar also mentioned the trilateral meeting on May 20 in Beijing involving Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China, saying the meeting was part of efforts to strengthen regional cooperation and develop joint solutions.

However, Ishaq Dar stressed that one of Islamabad’s serious concerns remains the activities of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operating from Afghan soil. “We have urged the Taliban to seriously confront the TTP threat. This issue directly endangers Pakistan’s national security,” he said.

The Foreign Minister also criticized previous policies such as open borders and informal talks with the Afghan interim government, saying, “These approaches have had negative consequences for our security. We can no longer tolerate security threats.”

He further spoke about strengthening Pakistan’s missile program as a defensive shield against regional threats and added, “Developing our defense capabilities is aimed at ensuring lasting security in the region.”

It is noteworthy that after Beijing meeting, the Taliban interim government upgraded its political representation in Islamabad to embassy level, reciprocated by Pakistan’s similar move in Kabul. However, it appears these diplomatic gestures have not yet led to the resumption of normal relations between the two countries.