NEW YORK: Pakistan is deeply concerned about the situation in Afghanistan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar said on Tuesday.
He said terrorist groups were present in Afghanistan and stressed the need for continued attention to the situation for regional peace and security.
Dar made the remarks while addressing a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Afghanistan in New York.
He said Pakistan had expected the Taliban authorities to honour their commitments.
“Pakistan remains concerned about the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan,” Dar said.
He said Pakistan was the first country to open its doors to Afghan refugees and described the country’s support for the Afghan people as longstanding.
Dar also referred to recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan.
He said 23 Pakistanis were killed in a suicide bombing in Kohat last week.
Pakistan has repeatedly called on the Afghan authorities to prevent their territory from being used against Pakistan.
Islamabad has said its concerns have not been adequately addressed by the Taliban authorities.
Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership has since taken measures in response to attacks linked to militants operating from Afghan territory.
Pakistan has also carried out airstrikes against what it has described as terrorist targets in Afghanistan.
Pakistani authorities have said such targets are being hit when Afghan territory is used for attacks against Pakistan.
