Following a high-level meeting in Kabul on Sunday, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Afghan counterpart Sirajuddin Haqqani decided to strengthen their border control and counterterrorism cooperation.
Khurram Agha, the Federal Interior Secretary, and other high-ranking officials were part of the Pakistani team, which was in the Afghan capital for a day.
Officials characterized the discussion as “important and timely” in light of the escalating security concerns along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The two sides engaged in extensive talks on a number of important topics, including bilateral ties, the threat presented by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which is prohibited, drug control, regulating cross-border movement, and the efficient administration of the Pak-Afghan border, according to an official statement.
“Terrorist organizations are spreading chaos and instability in the region, which both countries must counter through joint efforts,” Mr. Naqvi said, highlighting the need of collaboration in the fight against terrorism.
He reminded the Afghan leadership that Pakistan has provided decades of unconditional shelter to millions of Afghan refugees and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to upholding long-standing and fraternal ties with Afghanistan.
“We still welcome Afghan nationals who want to enter the country legally,” he continued.
Sirajuddin Haqqani, the interior minister of Afghanistan, acknowledged the shared responsibility for maintaining peace and security on both sides of the border and indicated a desire to further bilateral collaboration.
In order to prevent activities that could jeopardize Pakistan’s security on Afghan soil, especially in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where terrorist attacks have increased, the two ministers decided to strengthen their cooperation in intelligence sharing, joint border monitoring, and other areas.
The ongoing repatriation procedure for Afghan people living unlawfully in Pakistan was also discussed during the meeting. In order to guarantee that the procedure is conducted in a respectable and well-coordinated manner, Pakistani officials emphasized the necessity of organized collaboration.
