The spokesperson for the Taliban stated that Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan, has arrived in Kabul to participate in the 7th Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting.
According to Zabihullah Mujahid, the meeting is led by Mohammad Sadiq on behalf of Pakistan and by Mullah Abdul Qayum Zakir, Taliban deputy minister of defense, on behalf of the Taliban.
Key topics of discussion between the two sides include security issues, trade, resolving potential tensions along the Durand Line, and facilitating the movement of people on both sides of the line.
Zabihullah Mujahid stated: “This meeting always addresses matters between the two countries — security issues, occasional travel disruptions, trade topics—all are discussed. This time, the meeting is held in Kabul, and Mohammad Sadiq has come to attend it. On Afghanistan’s side, the Taliban Deputy Minister of Defense is presiding over it.”
This meeting comes as relations between Kabul and Islamabad have worsened in recent months. Pakistan has repeatedly claimed that members of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operate from Afghan territory, but the caretaker government of Afghanistan has denied these allegations.
“Pakistan’s demands are very clear, and the current Taliban leaders also have demands from Pakistan that must be met. If the negotiations aim to resolve the fundamental problems between Afghanistan and Pakistan, they must be conducted at the leadership level,” said Wais Naseri political analyst.
Earlier this year in the solar month of Hamal, Mohammad Sadiq also led an official delegation to Kabul, where he held talks with officials from the Taliban regarding political and economic relations.
