Pakistan cites Afghanistan as ‘top priority’ ahead of tripartite Doha talks

Taliban security personnel stand guard at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Torkham on September 15, 2023. (AFP/File)

• The deputy PM says Pakistan will engage with Afghan authorities on health issues, particularly polio eradication
• He tells the National Assembly the foreign office is also making arrangements for his visit to the Afghan capital

ISLAMABAD: The government described Afghanistan as its “top priority” on Thursday, saying a delegation was ready to participate in a tripartite conference in Doha that would focus on the situation in the neighboring state, amid concerns that Pakistan’s new administration was not focusing on Afghan affairs.
Pakistan launched a deportation drive against unregistered Afghan nationals amid a spike in suicide bombings last year, after blaming the proscribed militant network, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), for masterminding extremist violence in its cities from its sanctuaries in Afghanistan.
The situation intensified bilateral tensions between the two sides, which also witnessed occasional border skirmishes and closures, affecting the movement of people and the volume of trade between them.
“A summit is soon to be held in Doha within a few weeks,” Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said while addressing the National Assembly. “It will be a tripartite event involving Doha, Afghanistan, and us. The prime minister has given clearance to cooperate with Afghanistan on health issues, particularly polio eradication.”
Pakistan and Afghanistan are the last two countries in the world where polio remains endemic.
Dar said the foreign office of Pakistan was also making arrangements for his visit to Kabul.
“Let me assure you,” he continued. “Afghanistan remains on our priority agenda. Make no mistake. Afghanistan has not been ignored by this government. It would be top priority of this government. Let me be very clear and candid on this.”
The deputy prime minister noted Pakistan’s engagement with Afghanistan would also try to address the bilateral trade issues.