A Pakistani diplomat met with the governor of Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province on Monday to address rising bilateral tensions Pakistan Afghanistan, hours after a suicide attack in Peshawar killed three security personnel. The meeting aimed to restart dialogue amid accusations of cross-border terrorism TTP.
This encounter signals a potential shift in strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, two neighbours sharing a porous border and intertwined security challenges. Stable ties are vital for regional trade, refugee flows, and counter-terrorism efforts across South Asia, where instability could exacerbate humanitarian crises and economic disruptions.
Pakistani Diplomat Meeting Details
Pakistani Consul General Shafqatullah Khan held talks with Nangarhar Governor Mullah Muhammad Naeem Akhund in Jalalabad. The discussion focused on improving relations strained by recent security incidents. Afghan state media reported the governor emphasised goodwill and historical kinship between the peoples. He noted that positive relations depend on mutual respect, understanding, and coordination.
The diplomat outlined Pakistan’s concerns over current security issues. Sources indicated Akhund expressed interest in reducing tensions and bringing ties back on track. Attendees included Nangarhar Deputy Governor Maulvi Azizullah Mustafa, Foreign Affairs Director Maulvi Jan Mohammad Inqelab, and provincial spokesman Qari Ehsanullah Usmani, along with other officials.
The meeting covered shared ethnicity, language, religion, and culture. It also addressed the regional situation and daily needs of people, based on good neighbourly traditions. No official statement came from the Pakistani consulate or Foreign Office. Queries went unanswered.
Context of Recent Violence
The talks occurred hours after a suicide attack on Federal Constabulary headquarters in Peshawar’s Saddar area. Three personnel died, and security forces neutralised the attackers.
Pakistan links such incidents to cross-border terrorism TTP. Islamabad accuses groups of using Afghan soil for attacks, a claim Kabul denies. TTP remains the core dispute in bilateral tensions Pakistan Afghanistan. Pakistan urges action against the group, while the Taliban reject allegations of harbouring militants.
Taliban Pakistan Diplomatic Talks: Recent History
Efforts to resolve issues through Taliban Pakistan diplomatic talks have faltered. In October, border clashes killed 23 Pakistani troops and around 200 Taliban fighters. Dialogue followed, mediated by Turkiye and Qatar. The second round began on October 25 in Istanbul but yielded no solution, as stated by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar. Mediators issued a joint statement on October 31, planning further discussions on November 6. Yet, the third round on November 7 ended without agreement.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared the talks over, entering an indefinite phase due to irreconcilable differences. Trade ties suffered as a result. The Taliban suspended commerce with Pakistan. Islamabad had already closed the border after the clashes.
Akhund’s Role and Influence
Mullah Muhammad Naeem Akhund holds significant sway in Taliban circles. He serves as a confidant to Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. Previously, Akhund was deputy minister of Borders and Tribal Affairs and deputy minister of Civil Aviation in the Taliban’s 1996-2001 government. During the 20-year war against US and NATO forces, he led the military commission and operations in southern Helmand province.
Akhund was close to the late Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansoor. He maintains ties with Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob Mujahid. His position makes this meeting a notable step in easing bilateral tensions.
Broader Implications for Security
Cross-border terrorism TTP continues to fuel mistrust. Pakistan reports frequent incursions linked to Afghan-based militants. The Peshawar attack underscores ongoing threats. It targeted a key security site, highlighting vulnerabilities along the border.
Afghanistan’s Bakhtar news agency quoted the Islamic Emirate on its constructive stance. It seeks good relations, cooperation, and protection of common interests with neighbours and the world. Such statements align with the meeting’s focus on systematic coordination. Yet, implementation remains uncertain amid failed prior efforts. Regional dynamics add complexity. Shared borders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Paktika province see heavy militarisation, including fences.
Background
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated over Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan activities. Pakistan demands Kabul curb cross-border terrorism TTP, but the Taliban deny allowing attacks from their soil.
October border clashes escalated matters, leading to troop casualties on both sides. Subsequent Taliban Pakistan diplomatic talks in Istanbul, mediated by Turkiye and Qatar, collapsed after three rounds. Trade suspension followed, with borders closed. This meeting marks the first high-level contact in months, amid a Peshawar suicide attack that killed three.
What’s Next
Further meetings could build on this initiative, potentially reviving stalled mechanisms for peace. The Pakistani diplomat meets Afghan governor again may pave the way for broader de-escalation if commitments materialise.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, November 25th, 2025
Follow SouthAsianDesk on X, Instagram, and Facebook for insights on business and current affairs from across South Asia.
