KABUL: Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to strengthen cooperation on counterterrorism and strengthen mechanisms for effective border management to ensure regional security and stability.
This resolve was expressed during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Afghan counterpart Sirajuddin Haqqani in Kabul on Sunday, Radio Pakistan reported.
The two sides stressed the significance of peaceful coexistence, regional stability, and enhanced collaboration between both countries.
The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, with particular emphasis on counterterrorism efforts, cross-border infiltration, and the activities of the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Both sides also examined strategies for effective management of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, including measures to combat drug trafficking and regulate cross-border movement.
Additionally, the repatriation of Afghan nationals residing illegally in Pakistan featured prominently in the talks.
Speaking on the occasion, Mohsin Naqvi said that terrorist organisations are causing unrest and instability, and that both countries must work together to eliminate such threats.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to nurturing fraternal and lasting relations with Afghanistan.
Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to strengthen mutual cooperation for effective border management and elimination of terrorism@MohsinnaqviC42 #News #BreakingNews #RadioPakistan https://t.co/ChpnuEhxYn pic.twitter.com/eKAd6qdLbC
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) July 20, 2025
He also underscored Pakistan’s long-standing hospitality towards millions of Afghan refugees, emphasising that the country continues to welcome Afghan citizens who enter through legal channels.
Earlier, upon his arrival at the Afghan Ministry of Interior, Mohsin Naqvi was warmly received by Sirajuddin Haqqani.
The meeting was also attended by Afghanistan’s Senior Deputy Interior Minister Ibrahim Sardar, Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq, Federal Secretary for Interior Khurram Agha, and other high-ranking officials.
An Islamabad-based analyst, Syed Muhammad Ali, told Arab News that the visit follows a trilateral push for a trans-regional rail link that offers major benefits for war-torn Afghanistan.
“Sino-Pakistan offer to include Afghanistan in the multi-billion-dollar worth CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) reflects Islamabad’s intent to offer lucrative geo-economic incentives to the Kabul administration,” Ali said.
“These incentives aim to encourage recognition of Pakistan’s security concerns regarding terrorist organisations operating from Afghan soil and to reduce their space and capacity.”
On Thursday, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan signed the Framework Agreement on the Joint Feasibility Study for the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project in Kabul.
The UAP Railway Corridor aims to advance regional connectivity and economic integration that would connect Central Asian countries to Pakistani seaports through Afghanistan.
The visit follows a series of steps taken by both nations to enhance bilateral relations, including the revival of the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) and the elevation of diplomatic representation from chargé d’affaires to ambassador.
Earlier this week, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar visited Kabul.
During this visit, Dar called on Afghanistan’s Acting Interior Minister Haqqani, where the two sides held in-depth discussions on regional security cooperation and border management.
During the discussions, both parties reaffirmed the importance of addressing regional security threats and underscored the need for close collaboration to uphold peace and stability.
Dar highlighted the critical need to resolve all areas of concern—particularly those related to security and border management—in order to fully realise the potential of economic cooperation and regional integration.
Earlier this month, the two countries also held the inaugural round of the Additional Secretary-Level Mechanism talks.
