Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government Urges Federal Government to Approve TORs for Talks with Afghanistan

In the aftermath of the recent suicide attack at Darul Uloom Jamia Haqania, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government has demanded that the federal government urgently approve the Terms of Reference (TORs) required for talks with Afghanistan.

Barrister Dr. Mohammad Ali Saif, the spokesperson for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, emphasized that the provincial government intends to send a delegation to Afghanistan on an emergency basis. He stressed that the safety of the province’s citizens is the government’s primary responsibility.

“The federal government should promptly approve the TORs for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s talks with Afghanistan and avoid any further delay on this matter,” said Dr. Saif.

The spokesperson also urged the federal government to refrain from engaging in politics regarding this critical issue, stating that there were no objections to foreign trips by the Chief Ministers of Punjab and Sindh. He further questioned the government’s double standards, pointing out that if Marium Nawaz can engage in diplomatic efforts with India, there should be no issue with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s government negotiating with Afghanistan on the issue of terrorism. He added that this dual policy is exacerbating the sense of alienation in the province.

Earlier this year, in late January, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had decided to send a delegation to Afghanistan for talks with Afghan tribal leaders to ensure peace in the province. According to Dr. Saif, the situation in Afghanistan directly impacts Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly the tribal areas, as the province shares a 2,650-kilometer long border with Afghanistan, inhabited by Pashtun tribes on both sides.

The provincial government has been dealing with security issues in the tribal areas, which it considers its responsibility to resolve. In mid-February, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government finalized the TORs for the proposed two delegations to visit Afghanistan. Dr. Saif was nominated as the focal point for coordination.

According to the plan, one delegation, led by Dr. Saif, will focus on initiating dialogue and creating a conducive atmosphere for negotiations. The second delegation will include several tribal elders from the border areas, government officials, religious scholars, members of the provincial assembly, business and trade representatives, and security personnel.

The goal of these visits is to strengthen cross-border tribal diplomacy, rebuild trust between the tribes and the government, and engage tribal advisors to prevent the use of Afghan territory against Pakistan.