A high-level delegation led by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif is in Kabul today to meet with officials of the Afghan Taliban government to discuss security matters including counter-terrorism measures, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday.
\nThe delegation includes Inter-Services Intelligence Director General Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum and Pakistan’s special envoy on Afghanistan Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq.
\nThe visit comes against the backdrop of a recent surge in Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) sponsored terrorist attacks in Pakistan. Sources say Islamabad will persuade the Afghan interim government to live up to its commitment of not allowing Afghan soil to be used by the TTP and its affiliates.
\nThe visit was the result of hectic behind-the-scenes efforts by Pakistan aimed at pressing the Afghan Taliban to tackle TTP sanctuaries.
\nOfficial sources claimed that the Afghan Taliban have shown a willingness to address Pakistan\u2019s concerns, however, observers are skeptical.
\nEarlier, the Afghan Taliban government showed their willingness to address Pakistan\u2019s concerns on the banned TTP after Islamabad stepped up the pressure in the wake of a recent surge in terrorism.
\nOfficial sources familiar with the development told that Pakistan and the interim Afghan government have been in backchannel conversations to resolve the issue of the banned terrorist outfit.
\nThose contacts have been triggered by the surge in terrorism in Pakistan particularly after the deadly terrorist attack in the Police Lines area of Peshawar in which over 100 people \u2013 mostly policemen \u2013 lost their lives.
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