ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, has called for continued dialogue with the Taliban to address Islamabad’s concerns and improve strained relations between the two countries.
According to a statement from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dar chaired a meeting on Monday to review the country’s engagement with Afghanistan. The session included a detailed briefing from Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan, who recently concluded a three-day visit to Kabul.
Sadiq’s briefing outlined key discussions held with Taliban officials, focusing on regional security and bilateral cooperation. The meeting was attended by Pakistan’s foreign secretary and other senior ministry officials.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the foreign ministry said: “The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the importance of sustained dialogue with the interim Afghan government to address Pakistan’s concerns and promote bilateral relations.”
Dar’s remarks come amid growing tensions between Islamabad and Kabul over cross-border militancy, political friction, and migration issues. Pakistani authorities have repeatedly accused the Taliban of providing safe haven to anti-Pakistan militants responsible for attacks across the border — a claim the Taliban deny.
Despite public disputes, Pakistan has maintained communication with the Taliban leadership in an effort to manage security challenges and prevent further deterioration of diplomatic ties.
