Pakistan Ready for Afghanistan Talks, Says Action Against Militants Essential
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Pakistan remains ready for state-level dialogue with Afghanistan but any new bilateral mechanism must deliver tangible and verifiable action against militant groups operating from Afghan territory, the Foreign Office has said, as Islamabad also clarified its position on trade with Iran amid increased US economic pressure on Tehran.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi, speaking at the weekly media briefing, said Islamabad had taken note of a proposal from Afghanistan’s interim authorities for a dedicated bilateral mechanism to address contentious issues.
Pakistan remains open to engagement, he said, but stressed that assurances alone would not be sufficient to produce a sustainable arrangement.
Pakistan Sets Conditions for Afghanistan Dialogue
Islamabad wants Kabul to ensure that Afghan territory is not used to launch attacks against Pakistan and to fulfil its international commitments, including those associated with the Doha framework.
The Foreign Office specifically identified the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) among groups whose activities Islamabad says remain a major security concern.
“We remain ready for institutional coordination,” Andrabi said, provided that engagement produces concrete and verifiable counterterrorism measures and effective border management.
Afghan authorities have repeatedly rejected Pakistani allegations that they permit armed groups to use Afghanistan as a base for attacks on neighbouring countries.
That distinction is important: Pakistan’s assertions about militant activity from Afghanistan represent Islamabad’s official position, while the Taliban administration disputes accusations that it allows such groups to operate against Pakistan.
Kabul Proposes Bilateral Mechanism
The Pakistani response followed a proposal from Afghan authorities for a dedicated coordination mechanism covering security-related disputes.
Reports said the Afghan side had expressed willingness to cooperate on issues including information sharing, border management and militant movements, while proposing a separate mechanism to address trade, transit and refugee matters.
Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have faced prolonged strain over cross-border militancy, border restrictions and trade disruptions.
Pakistan’s latest statement nevertheless signals that diplomatic engagement remains possible if Islamabad sees measurable progress on its security concerns.
Pakistan Clarifies Position on Iran Trade
During the same briefing, the Foreign Office addressed questions over Pakistan’s economic relationship with Iran as Washington intensifies pressure on Tehran.
Andrabi said Pakistan’s trade with Iran was being conducted in accordance with international law and existing bilateral trade agreements, adding that such commerce remained consistent with Pakistan’s obligations.
The original Express report quoted the spokesperson as saying Pakistan was not bound to implement unilateral sanctions against Iran and distinguished those measures from sanctions imposed through the United Nations framework.
However, the Foreign Office’s broader formulation was more carefully framed around international law and Pakistan’s existing obligations.
That distinction matters because Pakistan’s rejection of unilateral sanctions does not necessarily mean Pakistani banks or companies face no commercial or financial risks when dealing with Iran. US secondary sanctions can independently affect companies, financial institutions and transactions exposed to the US financial system.
Pakistan Seeks Continued Trade With Iran
Pakistan and Iran have sought to expand bilateral commerce despite regional instability and sanctions-related constraints.
Islamabad has said it wants trade with Tehran to continue within applicable legal frameworks while pursuing diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the wider US-Iran confrontation.
Andrabi expressed hope that economic disputes would eventually be addressed as part of a broader settlement between Washington and Tehran.
Pakistan, he said, remains engaged in its mediation role.
FO Rejects Claims About Asim Munir’s Iran Visit
The Foreign Office also rejected reports portraying Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s August 24 visit to Tehran as a mission undertaken on behalf of US President Donald Trump.
Andrabi described claims that Munir travelled as a US envoy or at Washington’s behest as “misleading and factually incorrect.”
According to Islamabad, the visit formed part of Pakistan’s independent diplomatic effort to reduce tensions between the United States and Iran, break the military stalemate and explore a negotiated settlement.
Munir was accompanied by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during the Tehran visit, where the Pakistani delegation held talks with senior Iranian leaders.
The Foreign Office said Iranian officials had appreciated Pakistan’s efforts towards de-escalation.
Strait of Hormuz Remains Part of Diplomatic Efforts
Pakistan’s mediation efforts also include attempts to build momentum towards reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the strategically important waterway that has become a central issue in the wider US-Iran confrontation.
Andrabi said renewed efforts concerning the strait took place during Munir’s Tehran visit, but cautioned that the ultimate decisions rested with Washington and Tehran.
Regional powers including Pakistan, Oman and Qatar have been pursuing diplomatic channels as the US-Iran conflict continues. Recent international reporting indicates that regional governments are seeking ways to revive stalled de-escalation arrangements.
For Islamabad, the latest Foreign Office briefing therefore tied together two major regional challenges: rebuilding workable relations with Afghanistan while pressing for verifiable action against militancy, and maintaining diplomatic and economic engagement with Iran amid intensifying international pressure.
