BRUSSELS (MNN); Pakistan and the European Union on Sunday jointly called on Afghanistan to take firm action against terrorist organisations operating from its territory and to ensure the protection of human rights, particularly those of women and girls.
The statement followed the 7th Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue held in Brussels, co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
According to the Foreign Office, both sides reviewed Pakistan-Afghanistan relations after last month’s cross-border tensions and reaffirmed their commitment to regional peace, stability, economic progress, and resolving disputes with neighbours through dialogue.
The joint statement said that Pakistan and the EU urged Afghanistan’s de facto authorities to play a constructive role in eliminating terrorism from Afghan soil.
Dar and Kallas also expressed concern over Afghanistan’s worsening socio-economic situation and called for a peaceful, stable and self-reliant Afghanistan.
Both sides hoped that Kabul would promote a credible political process aligned with the UN-led Doha process, in keeping with commitments the Taliban had made to the international community.
The EU acknowledged Pakistan’s decades-long hosting of millions of Afghan refugees but stressed that any repatriation must be safe, dignified and consistent with international norms.
The statement further urged the Afghan authorities to ensure the protection of human rights, especially for women, girls and vulnerable communities.
Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have deteriorated in recent months, with the presence and activities of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan becoming the main source of friction.
Pakistan has repeatedly pressed Kabul to curb cross-border attacks, while the Afghan Taliban deny allowing militants to use Afghan territory as a base against Pakistan.
Dialogue efforts were initiated after border clashes in October, but talks failed to make progress. A second round held on October 25 in Ankara saw no breakthrough, and on November 7 Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared that negotiations had stalled indefinitely.
After talks collapsed, the Afghan Taliban halted trade with Pakistan. Islamabad had already closed its border for commercial activity following the October confrontation.
