Pakistan senior official and special representative on Afghanistan, Asif Durrani, is expected to travel to Kabul, for a three-day visit and hold key bilateral talks between Islamabad and the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, sources told WION, on Tuesday (July 18). This comes as the return of the Afghan Taliban to power has reportedly led to a surge in terrorist attacks in Pakistan.

<h2>Pakistan-Afghanistan relations&nbsp;</h2>

Durrani, who was appointed as a special representative by the incumbent Pakistan Minister Shehbaz Sharif, earlier this year, will be facilitating the talks in Kabul as relations between the two neighbouring countries remain complicated.&nbsp;

The source who spoke to WION on the condition of anonymity, said that while the decision for the visit was proposed before the recent incidents, it is likely that the issue of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) will be a key subject of discussion during the talks.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/afghan-and-pakistani-taliban-collaborated-on-recent-attacks-targeting-pak-law-enforcement-583046">Afghanistan, Pakistani Taliban 'collaborated' on attacks targeting Pak law enforcement: Report</a>

The TTP, according to officials in Islamabad is operating from Afghanistan&nbsp;and has reportedly claimed several attacks across Pakistan in recent months.&nbsp;

This is also what made Durrani’s appointment crucial as his predecessor Mohammad Sadiq’s resignation came following the unsuccessful peace talks with the banned outfit.&nbsp;

Earlier this year, Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, during his visit also urged Islamabad and TTP to hold discussions.&nbsp;

<h2>What do we know about the upcoming talks?</h2>

Recently, Pakistan brought up the concern of TTP terrorists operating from Afghan territory, which has raised tensions and prompted the need for bilateral discussions between the two neighbouring countries, the source told WION.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-says-will-target-ttp-on-afghan-soil-taliban-says-things-can-be-resolved-by-dialogue-548657">Pakistan says will target TTP on Afghan soil, Taliban say would not let anyone attack Islamic Emirate</a>

Additionally, the talks are also expected to address various important issues of mutual interest and cooperation between Islamabad and Kabul.&nbsp;

The discussions are also said to be a crucial opportunity, as both nations navigate through regional challenges, to strengthen diplomatic ties and find potential solutions to shared security concerns.&nbsp;

<h2>Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan</h2>

Furthermore, the return of the Afghan Taliban to power in August 2021 has reportedly led to a surge in terrorist attacks in Pakistan. 
 
ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/afghanistan-taliban-governor-of-balkh-province-killed-in-blast-say-police-570177">Afghanistan: Taliban governor of Balkh province killed in suicide attack; IS claims responsibility</a> 
 
According to a report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), an independent think tank, the country has witnessed a 79 per cent increase in terror activities during the first half of 2023.

The report highlights that 271 militant attacks have occurred during this period, resulting in the loss of 389 lives and injuries to 656 individuals.&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Pakistan senior official and special representative on Afghanistan, Asif Durrani, is expected to travel to Kabul, for a three-day visit and hold key bilateral talks between Islamabad and the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, sources told WION, on Tuesday (July 18).

Pakistan senior official and special representative on Afghanistan, Asif Durrani, is expected to travel to Kabul, for a three-day visit and hold key bilateral talks between Islamabad and the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, sources told WION, on Tuesday (July 18). This comes as the return of the Afghan Taliban to power has reportedly led to a surge in terrorist attacks in Pakistan. Pakistan-Afghanistan relations Durrani, who was appointed as a special representative by the incumbent Pakistan Minister Shehbaz Sharif, earlier this year, will be facilitating the talks in Kabul as relations between the two neighbouring countries remain complicated. The source who spoke to WION on the condition of anonymity, said that while the decision for the visit was proposed before the recent incidents, it is likely that the issue of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) will be a key subject of discussion during the talks. ALSO READ | Afghanistan, Pakistani Taliban 'collaborated' on attacks targeting Pak law enforcement: Report The TTP, according to officials in Islamabad is operating from Afghanistan and has reportedly claimed several attacks across Pakistan in recent months. This is also what made Durrani’s appointment crucial as his predecessor Mohammad Sadiq’s resignation came following the unsuccessful peace talks with the banned outfit. Earlier this year, Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, during his visit also urged Islamabad and TTP to hold discussions. What do we know about the upcoming talks? Recently, Pakistan brought up the concern of TTP terrorists operating from Afghan territory, which has raised tensions and prompted the need for bilateral discussions between the two neighbouring countries, the source told WION. ALSO READ | Pakistan says will target TTP on Afghan soil, Taliban say would not let anyone attack Islamic Emirate Additionally, the talks are also expected to address various important issues of mutual interest and cooperation between Islamabad and Kabul. The discussions are also said to be a crucial opportunity, as both nations navigate through regional challenges, to strengthen diplomatic ties and find potential solutions to shared security concerns. Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan Furthermore, the return of the Afghan Taliban to power in August 2021 has reportedly led to a surge in terrorist attacks in Pakistan. ALSO READ | Afghanistan: Taliban governor of Balkh province killed in suicide attack; IS claims responsibility According to a report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), an independent think tank, the country has witnessed a 79 per cent increase in terror activities during the first half of 2023. The report highlights that 271 militant attacks have occurred during this period, resulting in the loss of 389 lives and injuries to 656 individuals. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan, Afghanistan to hold talks about cross-border terrorism, ‘shared security concerns’

With a rogue Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) causing chaos across the country, the renowned clerics of Pakistan on Monday issued a fatwa (religious document) denouncing terrorism and terror activities.

With a rogue Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) causing chaos across the country, the renowned clerics of Pakistan on Monday issued a fatwa (religious document) denouncing terrorism and terror activities. The clerics, mostly hailing from the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in the 14-page 'fatwa' said taking up arms against the state was 'haraam' (forbidden) in the Sharia (Islamic law). It further said those declaring war and picking up weapons against the authorities deserved punishment. “Recently some so-called ulema tried to create chaos using Islam. After that, it became our responsibility to issue the fatwa," one of the clerics and signatories of the fatwa was quoted as saying by The Dawn. The clerics added that not every person in the country had to declare jihad, referring to the TTP terrorists. The fatwa cleared that only the 'head of an Islamic state' could declare jihad. What is happening in Pakistan? Pakistan is on the brink of 'Balkanisation' as the terror outfit has sown seeds of anarchy across the country. Since last year, TTP has executed more than 100 attacks. The series of attacks started after talks between the government and TTP collapsed in August as the former attempted to rein in the homegrown monster. WATCH | Gravitas: Has Pakistan become a 'suicide state'? × During the talks, TTP refused to budge on its demand for the reversal of the merger of Federally Administered Tribal Areas with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Once considered an ally by the Pakistani government, TTP has fashioned itself along the lines of the Afghan Taliban. Unlike what the officials sitting in Islamabad believed, TTP since its inception has been anti-Pakistan in its stance. The outfit has repeatedly refused to acknowledge the Durand Line as well. Read more: Pakistan’s efforts to bring Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan to table underway: Interior minister The officials have since conceded that engaging in talks with the terror outfit was a big mistake and that all avenues of diplomacy had been exhausted. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Pakistani clerics issue 'fatwa' denouncing terrorism as TTP continues its onslaught

Pakistan's Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has assured the people that the government is working actively to counter terrorism in the country. The assurance comes at a time when Pakistan is witnessing a heightened security crisis amid constant attacks from the terror group TTP.

Pakistan's Interior minister Rana Sanaullah speaks on security situation

ttp-terror-group

Ttp Terror Group, News on Ttp Terror Group, stories on Ttp Terror Group, articles on Ttp Terror Group, Ttp Terror Group stories at Wion, Ttp Terror Group news, Ttp Terror Group latest news

ttp terror-group

Pakistan, Afghanistan to hold talks about cross-border terrorism, ‘shared security concerns’

Pakistani clerics issue 'fatwa' denouncing terrorism as TTP continues its onslaught

Pakistan's Interior minister Rana Sanaullah speaks on security situation