Islamabad – June 29, 2025: In a rare moment of diplomatic alignment, Pakistan and Afghanistan jointly acknowledged terrorism as a “serious threat” to both nations and the wider region during the first round of Additional Secretary-level talks held in Islamabad on Friday.
The meeting marked a cautious but constructive step toward rebuilding strained bilateral relations, with both sides agreeing to enhance security coordination and border management to tackle cross-border militancy.
Key Outcomes of the Talks
According to a joint statement released by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
- Both countries “recognised terrorism as a serious threat” and emphasized the need for joint efforts to combat it
- Discussions covered border security, refugee management, transit trade, and economic cooperation
- A mutual understanding was reached to activate existing bilateral mechanisms, including intelligence sharing and consular coordination
“The talks were held in a constructive atmosphere,” the statement said, adding that both delegations agreed to continue the dialogue process.
Background: Security and Diplomatic Tensions
Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have been tense since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, with Pakistan repeatedly expressing concerns over militant sanctuaries operating from Afghan soil, particularly those linked to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Afghanistan, on the other hand, has raised concerns over refugee deportations, border closures, and Pakistani airstrikes on alleged militant hideouts.
The talks aim to reset dialogue at a bureaucratic level, ahead of possible foreign minister-level engagement later this year.
Next Steps
Both sides have agreed to:
- Hold the second round of talks in Kabul, though no specific date has been announced
- Strengthen people-to-people connections through educational and cultural exchanges
- Facilitate trade and transit routes to support mutual economic stability
Diplomatic observers view the dialogue as an attempt to reduce hostilities while keeping channels open amid growing regional instability.
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