Pakistan has urged Afghanistan’s Taliban government to abandon what it described as a “militant mindset” amid ongoing tensions along their shared border, following a recent surge in military confrontations. Speaking on September 29 at a seminar in Islamabad focused on Afghanistan and prospects for peace, Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar emphasized the need for a “long, lasting and sustainable” resolution between the neighboring countries but questioned whether the Afghan authorities possessed the political will to pursue peace.
“The interim Afghan government needs to move out of its militant mindset into a mindset of a statesman or state,” Tarar stated, highlighting the enduring relationship between the two nations despite a complex history. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and noted multiple diplomatic efforts, including Pakistani delegations traveling to Afghanistan and facilitation by third-party countries such as Qatar, Turkey, and China.
However, Tarar maintained that Islamabad remains deeply concerned about militant groups operating from Afghan soil. He accused the Afghan government of providing safe havens for terrorists and emphasized that, while peace is achievable in theory, the willingness to attain it appears lacking in practice.
The Taliban government has denied these allegations, asserting that Pakistan attempts to deflect responsibility for its internal security issues. Relations between the two countries have markedly deteriorated this month after a string of violent incidents and military actions.
On September 21, Pakistan reported conducting “calibrated” air strikes targeting militant hideouts in the border region adjacent to Afghanistan, claiming the killing of over 28 militants. Subsequently, on September 23, Pakistani security officials reported intercepting and shooting down eight drones launched from Afghan territory that had crossed into Pakistani airspace near the Torkham border and the city of Kohat.
These events have underscored the persisting volatility in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations and the challenges of establishing stability along their frontier. Both sides continue to exchange accusations over cross-border militant activity, complicating efforts to renew dialogue and build confidence toward peaceful coexistence.