Dar awaits mechanism to tackle terrorism emanating from Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Welcoming the ceasefire agreement inked in Qatar, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday stressed the need for “monitoring mechanism” with an aim “to address the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil towards Pakistan”.

On the other hand, Turkiye said it “will continue to support the efforts for achieving lasting peace and stability between the two brotherly countries [Pakistan and Afghanistan] and in the region.”

In a post shared on social media platform X, Dar, who is also Pakistan’s foreign minister, welcome the agreement finalised in Doha, describing it as “the first step in the right direction”.

Appreciating “the constructive role played by brotherly Qatar and Turkiye” played in the process, the deputy prime minister again pointed to the terrorism originating from Afghanistan.

“We look forward to the establishment of a concrete and verifiable monitoring mechanism, in the next meeting to be hosted by Turkiye, to address the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil towards Pakistan.”

At the same time, he talked about a peaceful region. “It is important to put all efforts in place to prevent any further loss of lives.”

Read more: Pakistan warns of terrorist threat emanating from Afghanistan

ORIGIN OF TERRORISM

Last month, Dar expressed serious concerns over different terrorists groups operating from Afghanistan, warning that they posed “a grave threat to regional and international peace and security”.

“Pakistan is seriously concerned over the presence of more than two dozen terrorist groups inside Afghanistan, particularly the TTP, BLA, Majeed Brigade and ETIM,” Dar told the OIC Contact Group on Afghanistan on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

He added that these groups are “actively collaborating with Al-Qaeda and posing a grave threat to regional and international peace and security”.

On Sunday, Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “We welcome that Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire under the mediation of Turkiye and Qatar and decided to establish mechanisms to strengthen peace and stability between the two countries during the talks held in Doha.

“We commend the efforts of Qatar, which also hosted the talks,” it added.

It’s a developing story. Details to follow.