Information Minister Attaullah Tarar urged Afghanistan’s interim government on Tuesday to abandon its “militant mindset” and adopt a more statesmanlike approach focused on improving conditions for its people and establishing enduring peace in the region. He emphasized that Pakistan’s commitment to peace should not be mistaken for weakness.
Speaking at a conference in Islamabad on Afghanistan and prospects for peace, Tarar reiterated Pakistan’s desire for peaceful coexistence with its neighbor. However, he stressed that resolving the longstanding tensions requires a fundamental change in the Afghan government’s attitude. “The Afghan interim government must transition from a militant mindset to that of a responsible state,” he said.
Tarar highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to negotiate with Afghanistan, mentioning multiple high-level delegations sent to Kabul as well as talks held in Istanbul and Doha. Despite these efforts, he expressed disappointment over the lack of genuine willingness to achieve peace.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated sharply in recent weeks amid accusations from Islamabad that the Taliban government is harboring militants who launch attacks across the border. Kabul has rejected these claims. In response, Pakistan has conducted airstrikes inside Afghanistan targeting militant bases allegedly involved in cross-border attacks and drone incursions.
Tarar pointed out Afghanistan’s significant potential to serve as a regional trade corridor connecting landlocked Central Asian countries with Pakistan’s ports. He said that peace would enable the establishment of trade routes through Afghanistan, benefiting both nations economically. Central Asian states could gain access to the Arabian Sea via Pakistan’s Karachi and Gwadar ports, he noted.
However, Tarar identified violent extremism and militancy as the main obstacles to this vision, accusing Afghanistan of providing safe havens to terrorists, including members of internationally banned organizations. He reiterated Pakistan’s concerns about Afghan territory being used for attacks against Pakistan during negotiations, urging the Afghan government to abandon its militant stance and pursue a sustainable peace model.
Addressing internal Afghan issues, Tarar criticized the interim government’s policies for excluding large segments of the population, especially women, from economic and social participation. He highlighted the disconnect between the government and its citizens, pointing to restrictions on basic rights such as education, assembly, and economic freedom imposed by ideological governance.
“Afghans deserve the right to education, peaceful coexistence, and economic opportunity,” Tarar asserted, emphasizing that peace is essential for prosperity. He described two forms of denial faced by Afghanistan: refusal to acknowledge the terrorism problem and safe havens, and denial of fundamental rights to its people. He urged the Afghan government to recognize the necessity of changing its approach for the welfare of its population.
Despite ongoing security challenges, Tarar stated that Pakistan remains committed to dialogue. He acknowledged Pakistan’s military responses to attacks attributed to militants operating from Afghan soil, including airstrikes conducted on September 23-24 targeting locations linked to drone launches against Pakistan. Afghanistan condemned these strikes, claiming civilian casualties and denying involvement in the attacks.
Tarar warned that Pakistan’s pursuit of peace should not be interpreted as weakness. He declared that any attempts to destabilize Pakistan from Afghanistan would be met with firm responses.
He also underscored the broader regional economic opportunities that peace in Afghanistan could unlock, including increased trade and investment between Central Asia and Pakistan. Highlighting discussions with officials from Russia and Central Asian states, Tarar said that achieving regional peace would unleash significant growth potential.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for a negotiated, amicable resolution that involves consensus within Afghanistan and allows its people to have a say in their future. Tarar reminded that Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees over decades and emphasized that the two countries will remain neighbors regardless of current tensions.
Concluding, Tarar committed Pakistan to continue supporting dialogue and negotiations to reach a friendly and acceptable solution to the ongoing disputes.
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