Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has reaffirmed Islamabad’s unwavering commitment to combating terrorism and urged Afghanistan to ensure its territory is not used for hostile activities against Pakistan. Speaking in the Senate, he said recent dialogues with Afghanistan’s interim government, held in Trkiye and Qatar, focused on engaging Afghan authorities to curb cross-border militancy. He noted that militant groups such as Fitna al-Khawarij, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and Fitna al-Hindustan BLA are operating from Afghan soil and conducting terrorist activities against Pakistan.
According to Radio Pakistan, Ishaq Dar emphasized that Pakistan, during these talks facilitated by the brotherly nations of Trkiye and Qatar, presented concrete evidence of these groups’ involvement in attacks on Pakistani soil. He expressed optimism about the upcoming meeting between Pakistan and the Afghan interim authorities, hoping for constructive engagement and tangible progress.
Highlighting Pakistan’s push for regional connectivity, Ishaq Dar said the Trans-Afghan Railway Project, aimed at linking Central Asia with Pakistan’s seaports, had entered its implementation phase, with a framework agreement already signed between the participating countries. He said that during his previous tenure as Finance Minister, Pakistan, in collaboration with Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, formulated a comprehensive plan for a 624-kilometre railway line connecting Pakistan to Uzbekistan and beyond, linking Central Asian states with China, Russia, and Europe through a unified network. He added that Pakistan holds immense potential to become a major trade and transit hub once this link is completed.
Regarding the nomination of US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar clarified that it was merely a gesture of recognition by the Government of Pakistan for President Trump’s role in facilitating a ceasefire during a recent conflict between Pakistan and India. The House will now meet on Friday at 10:30 in the morning.