ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Special Representative on Afghanistan Ambassador Asif Durrani on Tuesday said that terrorism emanating out of Afghanistan is a concern not only for Pakistan but other neighbouring countries like China, Iran, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
He was addressing on “Pak-Afghan Relations: Challenges and Opportunities” at the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) today.
He reiterated Pakistan’s call for the interim government in Afghanistan to take decisive actions against terrorist groups operating within its borders and fulfill its commitment to the international community.
Ambassador Durrani addressed the recent surge in terrorist activities in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan since the Taliban’s resurgence in 2021. Just a day earlier, the Pakistan Army thwarted an infiltration attempt by killing three terrorists near the Pak-Afghan border in Dir district, KP.
During the discussion, Ambassador Durrani emphasized Pakistan’s desire for socioeconomic and political conditions in Afghanistan conducive to the voluntary return of over three million Afghan refugees currently residing in Pakistan. He noted Pakistan’s recent decision to extend the validity of Proof of Registration (POR) cards for legally residing Afghan refugees until June 2023, accommodating 1.45 million refugees.
The ambassador also called upon the international community, particularly the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), to devise strategies ensuring the dignified repatriation of Afghan refugees. He acknowledged the Afghan interim administration’s efforts in poppy eradication, recognized at the UN Doha meeting earlier this month.
Ambassador Durrani underscored the importance of removing trade barriers between Pakistan and Afghanistan, enhancing regional connectivity through projects like the TAPI gas pipeline and the CASA-1000 power transmission line. He urged continued efforts by Pakistan to combat smuggling from Afghanistan.
