Afghan Voice Agency(AVA)_Monitoring, “We are hopeful that the current caretaker government in Afghanistan will not only address the issue of terrorism but also provide security because that’s a fundamental prerequisite for peace and prosperity,” FM Bilawal said in an interview with an Indonesian television channel.
The foreign minister’s statement came days after the tensions overlapped at the Chaman crossing border between the Pakistani and the Taliban security forces. The exchange of fire between the two sides claimed the lives of six civilians and injured 17 more.
Following Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s calling off the ceasefire with the government of Pakistan, the group has resumed attacking Pakistani security forces and creating terror and chaos among the ordinary people. Similarly, terrorist attacks and bombings have increased in Kabul in the recent past, the latest of which targeted the head of the Pakistani Diplomatic Mission and a Chinese-run hotel in the heart of Kabul.
Therefore, it is in the interest of both countries to work together in combating terrorism and restoring peace and stability in Afghanistan. A peaceful Afghanistan would benefit Pakistan and the wider region at large, otherwise, the growing instability will have ramifications on other states as well in the long term.
Despite the tense situation at Pakistan’s western borders, FM Bilawal said that Pakistanis and Afghans were neighbors and would remain neighbors. He added it was in Pakistan’s interests that there should be peace in Afghanistan.
The engagement of the regional and global powers with the interim government of Afghanistan to combat terrorism and restore peace and stability is of paramount importance at this very stage.