ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — The leaders of Pakistan and Turkey have called for stronger measures to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a haven for terrorist groups, according to Pakistani officials.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met during Erdoğan’s two-day visit to Pakistan on Feb. 12-13, where they discussed regional security and bilateral cooperation.
Speaking at a press conference, Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said both sides reaffirmed their support for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan while emphasizing the need to prevent terrorist groups from operating within its borders.
“All necessary measures to counter terrorism need to be taken by the interim Afghan authorities, including against Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and ISIS, which remain listed under the United Nations Security Council’s 1267 sanctions regime,” Khan said.
Addressing Pakistan’s concerns over cross-border militancy, Khan noted that a key challenge in Islamabad’s relations with the Taliban-led government is the presence of TTP militants in Afghan territory.
“This issue has been repeatedly raised with the Afghan interim government, and we continue to insist that it must be resolved,” he said. “We are addressing the problem of terrorism on multiple fronts—through military action within our own borders and through diplomatic engagement.”
Khan added that Pakistan remains committed to engaging with the Taliban leadership while urging them to recognize that the long-term economic potential of the region—and the benefits of bilateral cooperation—will remain unrealized unless the security concerns are addressed.
Pakistan has also raised the issue of militant sanctuaries in Afghanistan with the international community, he said.
