ISLAMABAD, Feb 17 (Alliance News): The Foreign Office has reaffirmed that foreign affairs fall under federal jurisdiction, responding to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government’s initiative to send delegations to Afghanistan for talks on security and economic ties.
“Under the Constitution, foreign affairs are the federal government’s domain,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said while speaking to this correspondent.
Sources in the federal government revealed that a senior KP official had stated that the federal government would be consulted before dispatching delegations.
The federal government is expected to assess all aspects of the matter before granting approval and may include its experts in the delegations to determine the parameters of the talks. If permitted, the Pakistan mission in Kabul could be tasked with facilitating the visit.
The KP government plans to send two delegations to Kabul: one to create a conducive environment for talks and handle diplomatic matters, and another comprising various stakeholders.
This move follows an increase in terrorist incidents in Pakistan, which Islamabad attributes to outlawed groups based in Afghanistan—claims denied by the Afghan Taliban.
Pakistan has repeatedly urged Kabul to prevent its territory from being used by groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for attacks. A United Nations Security Council (UNSC) report has also pointed to a nexus between Kabul and the TTP, citing operational and financial support.
According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), KP and Balochistan—both bordering Afghanistan—remain the most affected provinces, witnessing a 42% rise in terrorist attacks last month compared to December 2024.
The security situation in KP, including unrest in the Kurram region, prompted KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to propose direct talks with Afghanistan in September 2024. The move, backed by PTI founder Imran Khan, was strongly criticized by the federal government as an encroachment on its authority over foreign affairs.
