In a significant diplomatic development, the Afghan government has confirmed the existence of suicide bomber training camps operating within Afghanistan’s borders during the visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, to Kabul. This revelation comes amidst heightened concerns in Pakistan over the increasing number of terrorist attacks, particularly suicide bombings, carried out by militants with training in Afghanistan.
During this crucial visit, the Afghan government has made a serious commitment to ensure that no suicide bombers will be allowed to cross into Pakistan from Afghan territory. Afghan officials not only confirmed the existence of these camps but also assured Pakistan that they would be shut down and their operations terminated. The Afghan leadership pledged that the training grounds used by these militants would be dismantled, and the groups responsible would be severely reprimanded, specifically targeting the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and other insurgent factions operating from Afghan soil.
This commitment was made in response to growing concerns from Pakistan, where there has been a sharp uptick in terrorist attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and its southern regions. The situation has been dire, with daily incidents of bombings and attacks. Pakistan’s security forces have repeatedly raised alarms about the increasing number of suicide bombings, many of which are suspected to have been planned and executed by militants who had undergone training in Afghanistan. Pakistani authorities have particularly pointed to the training of suicide bombers as one of the most pressing security concerns.
The talks were part of a broader diplomatic engagement between the two neighbouring countries. The Pakistani delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, highlighted the growing terrorism issues, which have wreaked havoc not only in Pakistan but have also caused significant social and economic damage. They particularly emphasised the relentless wave of suicide bombings, many of which had been traced back to groups using Afghanistan as a base of operations.
As part of the discussions, the Afghan government assured Pakistan that it would take immediate and robust action to prevent its soil from being used by anti-Pakistan militants. Afghan officials emphasised that while the TTP and other insurgent groups may be operating within Afghanistan, the Afghan authorities are committed to preventing these elements from carrying out attacks against Pakistan. Afghan officials also reiterated that the Afghan government does not support or condone the use of Afghan territory for cross-border terrorism.
The Afghan government also promised that it would dismantle the camps that train suicide bombers and take strict action against the militant elements, particularly targeting notorious figures associated with terrorist groups. Afghan officials pledged to ensure that no more suicide bombers from Afghanistan would be able to cross the border into Pakistan, an assurance that Pakistan has long been seeking.
Additionally, the discussions also covered broader security and diplomatic issues between the two countries. Both sides recognised that the security situation had reached a critical point, and it was essential to foster ongoing dialogue to address not just the issue of terrorism but also other bilateral challenges that had been exacerbated in recent years. One of the key issues raised was the use of Afghan territory by militants, a point of contention that has caused significant strain in bilateral relations.
While Afghanistan acknowledged Pakistan’s concerns, it also raised its own grievances. Afghanistan’s Prime Minister, Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, who met with the Pakistani delegation, expressed concerns over the expulsion of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, a situation that has escalated recently. He pointed out that Pakistan had generously hosted Afghan refugees for over 45 years and had provided them with shelter and support during Afghanistan’s difficult times. However, with increasing tensions, Pakistan had begun deporting Afghan refugees, which Afghanistan considers a violation of their rights.
In this regard, the Afghan government voiced dissatisfaction with the manner in which the repatriation process was being handled, arguing that it was being carried out without adequate consideration for the welfare of the refugees. Afghanistan called for a more humane and organised process to address the issue. Afghan officials further stressed that while they appreciated Pakistan’s support over the decades, the forced return of refugees without sufficient assistance was a cause for concern.
Apart from the issue of refugees, another critical subject of discussion was the management of the shared border, particularly the Torkham border, which had been closed for nearly two months. This border closure had caused significant economic losses on both sides, especially to traders and businesses relying on cross-border trade. Both Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed on the need to resolve such issues through dialogue rather than unilateral actions, as trade is an essential aspect of their bilateral relations.
The two countries also discussed ways to improve trade relations, including addressing the challenges faced by Afghan traders who transport goods via Pakistan’s border posts such as Torkham and Chaman. These trade routes are vital for Afghanistan’s access to international markets, but the traders face significant difficulties due to bureaucratic hurdles and delays in the border process. The Afghan delegation raised concerns over the long-standing challenges faced by Afghan traders in obtaining Pakistani visas. They stressed that facilitating smoother trade would benefit both countries economically and help strengthen the relationship between them.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar acknowledged these concerns and assured the Afghan delegation that Pakistan would make efforts to ease the visa process for Afghan traders and ensure smoother cross-border trade. The Pakistani government committed to increasing the number of trade-related visas for Afghan nationals and removing bureaucratic obstacles that have hampered the movement of goods and people across the border.
Furthermore, the issue of Afghan transit trade was discussed in detail. Afghan officials emphasised the importance of strengthening this trade route, which is vital for Afghanistan’s economy. Pakistan, in turn, recognised the strategic significance of Afghan transit trade and pledged to work with Afghanistan to enhance this trade corridor, ensuring better access to Central Asian markets for Afghan traders.
On the security front, the Pakistani delegation emphasised the importance of sustained counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries. Despite the progress made in the talks, both sides recognised that there was much work to be done in addressing the security challenges, including preventing cross-border militancy. Pakistan expressed its desire to see a stronger commitment from Afghanistan in tackling extremist groups that threaten both countries’ stability.
While both Pakistan and Afghanistan have historically had their share of tensions, this visit marked an important step towards improving bilateral relations. It is expected that follow-up discussions will take place to ensure the promises made during the visit are implemented.
Both sides agreed to create committees to tackle these ongoing issues, and documents were signed outlining mutual commitments. The visit has been hailed as a significant breakthrough in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, with both governments recognising the need for continued dialogue and practical solutions to the problems at hand.
In conclusion, the visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister to Afghanistan has proven to be a crucial turning point in resolving longstanding issues between the two nations. While the promise to shut down suicide bomber training camps and address the concerns of cross-border terrorism is a significant victory, it remains to be seen whether these commitments will be followed through. Both countries have a shared interest in stability, security, and prosperity, but it will require sustained cooperation and political will to ensure that these issues are effectively addressed.
As both nations continue to face immense challenges, particularly related to terrorism and regional security, the diplomatic path remains the most viable route for resolving these issues and creating a more peaceful and prosperous future for their people.
