Pakistan Calls for “Constructive Engagement” With Afghanistan

DID Press: Talal Chaudhry, Pakistan’s Minister of State for Interior, said Wednesday that Islamabad wants constructive engagement with Afghanistan, stressing that peace in the two neighboring countries is closely linked.

Speaking at a conference on Afghanistan in Islamabad, Chaudhry said Pakistan had consistently supported a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. He added that Pakistan itself had been a victim of terrorism and alleged that armed groups use Afghan territory to carry out what he described as “terrorist activities in Pakistan.”

Chaudhry said Afghan territory should not be used against Pakistan or any other country. He also claimed that the United Nations and other organizations had reported the presence of multiple terrorist “safe havens” in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has repeatedly raised concerns with the Taliban authorities over alleged militant sanctuaries on Afghan soil while also saying it supports dialogue and constructive engagement.

Recent Pakistani officials have similarly called for negotiations and peaceful coexistence with Afghanistan while demanding action against groups Islamabad says operate from Afghan territory.