Pakistan raises Afghan terrorism concerns during UK visit

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, has raised serious concerns regarding terrorist threats originating from Afghan soil during an official visit to the United Kingdom. In meetings with UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and National Security Adviser Jonathan Paul, Dar emphasized that terrorist groups active in Afghanistan pose a direct threat to the peace and security of Pakistan.

Islamabad has frequently accused the Taliban of allowing militant groups, specifically the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), to operate from within Afghanistan. While the Taliban have consistently denied these allegations and instead accused Pakistan of hosting their opponents, Pakistan maintains it is willing to engage in dialogue provided the Taliban offer guarantees to curb these cross-border threats.

During the discussions, the two nations also reviewed bilateral relations and agreed to establish a structured mechanism for formal consultations between their respective foreign ministries. The leaders also exchanged views on regional and international developments, including the situations in the Middle East, Afghanistan, and India.