Pakistani Deputy PM Ishaq Dar meets top Taliban leaders during visit to Afghanistan, discusses 'terrorism'

He remarked during his day-long visit to Afghanistan amid deteriorating ties between the neighbouring nations since the Taliban came to power in 2021.

Adressing a press conference, Dar was quoted as saying by Dawn News: "We have requested our hosts that we have to work together for the progress, betterment and peace and security of the region. For that, neither will we allow anyone to use our soil to conduct illicit activities in Afghanistan and graciously nor will you allow anyone to use [Afghan soil]."

"We both countries will strictly deal with and no one will be permitted to — there is no permission either way — use our land to use against the other for any security [risk] or terrorism. If someone does, then we both will be responsible to take action against such elements in our countries and stop them," he said.

Dar, who is also the country's foreign minister,met the country's high-ranking Taliban officials during his visit to Kabul.

This is the first high-level visit from Pakistan to the neighbouring nation since Taliban took control over the country.

Taliban’s deputy spokesman in Afghanistan, Hamdullah Fitrat, said on X: "The Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister’s Office of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Dr. Mullah Abdul Wasi, received the delegation headed by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, at the ARG Palace earlier today. The delegation is undertaking an official visit to Kabul."

"A meeting is scheduled between the Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Alhaj Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and accompanying officials to deliberate on the advancement of political, economic, trade, and cultural relations between the two states, as well as the matter of the coerced repatriation of Afghan refugees currently residing in Pakistan," Fitrat said.

Dar is visiting Afghanistan at a time when Islamabad is accusing the Afghan Taliban of giving refuge to the Pakistani militants.

Pakistan is also carrying out a campaign to force out undocumented Afghans to leave its soil by April 30.