Pakistan’s interior minister, Mohsin Naqvi, emphasized the need for strengthened cooperation in security and counter-narcotics efforts in a meeting in Kabul with Taliban’s interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani on Sunday, according to a statement released by the Taliban.
The Taliban’s Ministry of Interior said that in the meeting, Haqqani stressed the importance of building mutual trust, saying that visits like this help foster “positive cooperation” between Pakistan and the Taliban administration. “Any problem can be solved in an atmosphere of trust,” he said, according to the Taliban statement.
He also urged Pakistani officials to ensure humane treatment of Afghan migrants and detainees held in Pakistan, calling for better conditions and facilitation for Afghan nationals. “We are two neighboring Muslim countries with many commonalities,” Haqqani said. “There are plenty of reasons to build constructive engagement.”
The Taliban statement quoted Naqvi as reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to joint efforts in maintaining regional security and combating drug trafficking. He also pledged to ease trade and travel for Afghan citizens and said that joint measures would be taken to resolve outstanding issues.
The visit comes amid growing pressure on the Taliban from Pakistani officials, who have repeatedly called on the Taliban to crack down on the presence and activities of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Naqvi’s trip follows a high-level delegation to Kabul last week led by Pakistan’s foreign minister, part of ongoing efforts to stabilize regional security and economic ties.
