Pakistan Information Minister Attaullah Tarar urged the Afghan Taliban regime on September 29, 2026, to abandon a “militant mindset” and act as a responsible state during a seminar in Islamabad focused on Afghanistan’s path to peace. Tarar stated that Kabul’s circumstances are “highly complex” and demand a lasting solution, pointing to regional trade potential and persistent cross-border security friction.
Attaullah Tarar Calls for Responsible Governance in Kabul
Addressing the seminar in Islamabad, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar asserted that many challenges facing Afghanistan stem directly from a “militant mindset.” He maintained that the Afghan people deserve basic rights and the authority to determine their own future, noting that certain sections of the population lack opportunities to participate in economic development. Tarar emphasized that achieving peaceful coexistence requires adhering to the principle of “live and let others live,” adding that lasting peace forms the necessary foundation for regional prosperity.
Cross-Border Security Tensions and Bilateral Negotiations
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained strained amid a sharp rise in cross-border terror attacks since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021, particularly affecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to prevent militant organizations and banned groups from using Afghan territory as safe havens to stage attacks inside Pakistan, which have claimed the lives of civilians and security personnel. These incidents have triggered several border clashes between the two neighboring nations in recent months. According to Islamabad, multiple rounds of talks—including high-level delegations sent to Afghanistan as well as discussions held in Turkiye’s Istanbul and Qatar’s Doha—have failed to yield a counter-terrorism agreement due to Kabul’s reluctance to take action against militant outfits.
Regional Connectivity and Economic Stakes
Despite ongoing security disputes, Tarar highlighted Afghanistan’s significant potential for promoting trade and regional connectivity. He noted that peace in Afghanistan could unlock vital trade routes between Central Asia and Pakistan, ultimately granting Central Asian states access to warm waters. Pakistan supports negotiations for an amicable solution, with Tarar stating that peace will increase prospects for stability and development across the region. However, the information minister cautioned that Islamabad’s commitment to dialogue should not be misconstrued as weakness, warning plainly that any attempts to destabilise Pakistan will be met with a response.
