Pakistan and the United Kingdom have expressed shared concern over terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil, following the conclusion of the fifth round of bilateral talks in Islamabad on Tuesday. The discussions covered regional, international and bilateral issues, including Gaza and Kashmir.
The Pakistan delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch. Officials said the two sides reviewed the state of the bilateral relationship and exchanged views on developments in the region and beyond, with counter-terrorism emerging as a central theme of the talks.
Both sides named the groups behind their concern: Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Islamic State Khorasan Province, the Balochistan Liberation Army and the Majeed Brigade. According to the talks, these groups have been operating from Afghan territory, a situation both countries described as a matter of serious concern.
Pakistan reiterated its longstanding position that Afghan soil must not be used for terrorism against Pakistan. Officials stressed that cross-border terrorism remains one of the most pressing security challenges facing the country, and that the Afghan authorities carry a responsibility to prevent their territory from being used in this way.
The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation against terrorism. The agreement reflects a shared understanding that the threat posed by militant groups is not confined to one country, and that closer coordination is needed to counter it effectively.
The talks also touched on Gaza and Kashmir, two issues on which Pakistan has consistently sought international attention. Officials said the discussions provided an opportunity for both sides to set out their positions on the humanitarian and political dimensions of these disputes.
Beyond security, the fifth round of talks formed part of the regular diplomatic engagement between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, two countries with deep historical, political and people-to-people links. Large Pakistani communities in Britain, along with trade and education ties, give the relationship a breadth that extends well past any single agenda item.
The outcome of the talks will be watched closely in the region, particularly for any practical steps that follow from the agreement to deepen counter-terrorism cooperation. For now, the joint message is clear: both Islamabad and London regard the use of Afghan soil by terrorist groups as unacceptable, and both have committed to working together against it.
