Northwestern Pakistani province to send delegations to Kabul for talks amid surge in militancy

The screengrab taken from a video shows Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, Ali Amin Gandapur (right), meets the Afghan consulate in Peshawar, Pakistan, on September 12, 2024. (Facebook/@GovernmentKP/File)

• Pakistan has struggled to contain a surge in militancy since a fragile truce between Pakistani Taliban and Islamabad broke down in 2022
• Islamabad has frequently accused Afghanistan of sheltering militant groups that launch cross-border attacks, Kabul denies the allegation

PESHAWAR: The government in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province has decided to send two delegations, comprising tribal elders, religious scholars, and political leaders, to engage in direct talks with the Afghan Taliban rulers for peace and stability in the region, a KP government spokesman said on Sunday, amid a rise in militant attacks in the province that borders Afghanistan.
The development came a day after KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said the security situation in the province was directly linked to the “developments in neighboring Afghanistan,” following a consultative meeting convened by the KP administration under the title “National Unity Against Terrorism” that brought together representatives from various religious and political parties.
Pakistan has struggled to contain a surge in militancy in KP since a fragile truce between the Pakistani Taliban, or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and Islamabad broke down in November 2022. The TTP and other militant groups have frequently targeted security forces convoys and check-posts, besides targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials in recent months.
The engagement with Kabul is planned to address critical issues, including cross-border security, economic cooperation and trade and KP government spokesman Muhammad Ali Saif would be the focal person of the KP government and part of all delegations in this regard, according to a statement issued from the provincial information department.
“There is no timeframe given for the visit of the planned delegations but they will visit very soon,” Nisar Khan, an official at the KP information department, told Arab News on Sunday.
Pakistan’s top military and political leadership has blamed the surge in violence on TTP militants launching cross-border attacks from Afghanistan, accusing Kabul of harboring and facilitating them. Afghanistan denies the allegation and says Pakistan’s security is an internal matter of Islamabad.
The TTP continues to get financial and logistical support from Kabul, a United Nations (UN) report said this month, amid Islamabad’s repeated calls for Afghanistan to rein in the group. The ambition and scale of the TTP’s attacks on Pakistan had significantly increased, with over 600 attacks from July till December 2024, the report said.
The KP provincial government intends to send the first delegation to lay the foundation for meaningful talks and pave the way for the second delegation to reach some sort of tangible solution to issues, according to officials.
Saif said tribal communities residing on both sides of the porous Pakistan-Afghanistan border share the same language, tradition and social norms.
“However, due to prolonged conflict and instability in the region, cross-border relationships have been impacted, contributing to security concerns, economic downturn and humanitarian challenges,” he said in a statement.
Aamer Raza, a lecturer of political science at the University of Peshawar, told Arab News that it would be too early to expect “immediate and tangible results” from the intended talks, but the engagements would help build confidence between the two sides.
“The issue of militancy in the province and in the region is interconnected. Cooperation between the two sides can bring down militancy not only in KP but the same will enhance peace and stability in Afghanistan,” he said.
“Dealing with the complex ideological landscape of militancy in the region will need an intricate dialogue.”
Saif said the objectives of the delegation include strengthening cross-border tribal diplomacy, confidence-building measures between tribal communities and authorities on both sides.
“[The delegations] will try to address cross-border security concerns, engage tribal leaders to dissuade terrorist organizations from using Afghan territory for launching attacks in Pakistan, seek cooperation in monitoring and preventing the TTP and other militant movements across the border,” he said, adding the delegates would also explore opportunities for trade between border regions, initiatives to enhance health care, education and livelihood opportunities.
Saif said his government intended to explore ways to establish mechanisms for the movement of people of both countries for medical treatment and business, and strengthening cultural and social exchanges.
The first delegation, comprising tribal elders and a senior government official from KP, would establish diplomatic groundwork and coordinate with Afghan counterparts, according to the KP government spokesman.
“Liaison with the federal government will be ensured for approvals and guidance,” he added.
After the first visit, a larger delegation, comprising tribal elders, religious scholars and key stakeholders, would visit Afghanistan to engage with Afghan tribal leaders and government representatives.
“Discussion points will cover security, trade, refugee issues and cross-border collaboration,” he added.
Irfanullah Khan, a Pakistani scholar and expert on tribal affairs, called the KP government initiative a “positive step toward addressing security issues,” but said the likelihood of achieving durable peace depends on the capacity of Afghan authorities to enforce agreements as well as the level of cooperation from Pakistan in addressing local grievances.
“Bilateral engagement is a good gesture which will lay the groundwork for peace, but sustained efforts are needed from both Kabul and Islamabad to address security issues,” he said.
“It is a good move to include tribal leaders in the talks. Local populations must feel empowered in the decision-making process. Combination of security measures, development activities and good governance can contribute gradually to restoration of peace in KP and its tribal areas.”
Irfanullah, however, said the success of negotiations would depend on the evolving political and security landscape.
Saif said the KP government would formally notify the federal government about the initiative, ensuring its alignment with national foreign and security policies.
“No commitments will be made that override Pakistan’s national security framework or diplomatic stance,” he added.