Pakistan, Turkiye resolve to work together for peace, stability in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: The foreign ministers of Pakistan and Turkiye have vowed to join hands for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan for the sake of regional peace and stability, a Pakistani state broadcaster reported on Friday.  

The understanding was reached during a telephonic conversation between Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and his Turkish counterpart, Mevlüt Çavusoglu, on Thursday.  

The two leaders discussed the current situation in Afghanistan as well as “bilateral and regional matters,” the state-run Radio Pakistan reported.  

“Reiterated commitment to work together for peaceful & stable Afghanistan for regional peace and prosperity,” Bhutto-Zardari wrote on Twitter.  

Pakistan has witnessed a sharp increase in militant attacks in 2022 as proscribed outfits intensified their activities in remote districts in Pakistan's northwest and southwest that border Afghanistan. 

The Pakistani Taliban, or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), stepped up attacks in different parts of Pakistan after calling off a cease-fire with the government, which was brokered by the Afghan Taliban, in November. 

The TTP, which associates itself with the Afghan Taliban, has been fighting to overthrow the government in Islamabad since late 2000s. Pakistan has lately called on the Afghan Taliban to keep militant groups from reorganizing on their soil and abide by their commitments made with the international community. 

Bhutto-Zardari also thanked Turkiye for showing solidarity with Pakistani flood affectees and Ankara's continued support for their rehabilitation and a climate-resilient Pakistan. 

Pakistan enjoys cordial relations with Turkiye, rooted deep in culture, faith and trade. Turkish companies have invested more than $1 billion in different sectors in Pakistan, including construction, power, solid waste management, hygiene products, electronics and dairy.