Pakistan Recalls Ambassador from Kabul Over Security Concerns
Pakistani media have reported that Islamabad has recalled its ambassador to Afghanistan for consultations amid security concerns and rising tensions with the Taliban administration, a move that reflects continuing disagreements over Afghanistan’s security situation.
The Nation newspaper reported on Friday that Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani, Pakistan’s ambassador in Kabul, had returned to Islamabad to discuss security developments in Afghanistan, including increased militant activity by groups opposed to the Taliban administration.
According to the report, Nizamani met with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar at the foreign ministry in Islamabad. Pakistan’s foreign ministry said regional developments, Afghanistan’s security situation and issues directly affecting Pakistan were reviewed during the meeting.
The ministry quoted Dar as saying that close monitoring of regional developments, particularly events with implications for peace and security, is important.
The consultations come as relations between Islamabad and the Taliban administration have been strained in recent months, largely over Pakistan’s security claims. Pakistan has repeatedly alleged that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and some other armed groups are using Afghan territory to carry out attacks inside Pakistan.
Taliban officials have rejected these claims and said they will not allow Afghan soil to be used against other countries. Pakistan is one of Afghanistan’s key neighbouring countries, and security tensions between the two sides have in recent years become a constant feature of relations between Kabul and Islamabad.
