Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, says that he and his Chinese counterpart have agreed to strengthen coordination between the two countries to counter what they described as “terrorist threats originating from Afghan soil.”
In a post on the social media platform X, he announced that on Monday, June 2, he met with Yu Xiaoyong, China’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, in Islamabad.
According to Mohammad Sadiq, the two sides held detailed discussions on regional security issues, including threats attributed to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM). He claimed that these groups operate from Afghan territory.
The Pakistani special representative added that both countries emphasized the need for greater coordination in combating terrorism. According to him, the two sides agreed to strengthen their cooperation and joint efforts to maintain regional peace and stability.
Cooperation in addressing what Pakistan and China describe as “terrorist threats originating from Afghan soil” had also been emphasized during a meeting between Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan’s Prime Minister, and Xi Jinping, China’s President.
Last week, during Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Beijing, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the two countries had stressed the importance of preventing any individual, group, or organization from using Afghan territory to threaten regional security and interests or to carry out terrorist activities. The statement specifically mentioned the TTP and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement.
Pakistan has repeatedly claimed that the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan has safe havens and training centers in Afghanistan. China has also alleged that members of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement enter Xinjiang from northeastern Afghanistan.
However, the Taliban have consistently rejected these allegations, insisting that no foreign armed group is allowed to operate on Afghan territory.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
