Pakistan, EU Urge Afghanistan to Act on Terror Threat

Pakistan and the European Union issued a strong joint message, urging Afghanistan’s de facto authorities to take decisive action against terrorist groups operating from its territory and to uphold fundamental human rights, particularly those of women and girls. The statement followed the 7th Strategic Dialogue held in Brussels, co-chaired by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

The discussions placed a sharp focus on Islamabad–Kabul relations, especially after recent cross-border tensions that strained ties between the two neighbours. Both sides reiterated their commitment to regional peace, stability and prosperity, stressing that all issues with neighbouring countries must be resolved through dialogue rather than escalation. Their joint declaration called upon Afghanistan to play a constructive role in the region by eliminating terrorist safe havens and ensuring that its soil is not used for attacks.

The statement also highlighted deep concern over Afghanistan’s worsening socioeconomic conditions. Both Dar and Kallas agreed that a peaceful, stable and self-reliant Afghanistan was essential for the region. They expressed hope that Kabul would support a credible political process aligned with the UN-led Doha framework and honour commitments previously made to the international community.

The EU acknowledged Pakistan’s immense burden of hosting millions of Afghan nationals for more than four decades. At the same time, it emphasised that any repatriation of Afghan citizens must be carried out in a safe, dignified manner and in accordance with international standards. Protection of human rights was a central part of the dialogue, with both sides calling on Afghan authorities to ensure safety and freedoms for women, girls and vulnerable groups who continue to face severe restrictions.

In recent months, Pakistan–Afghanistan ties have deteriorated, largely due to Islamabad’s repeated concerns over cross-border terrorism linked to the TTP. Pakistan has consistently demanded that the Taliban administration take meaningful action to prevent militants from using Afghan territory to plan or conduct attacks. The Taliban deny the allegations, adding further strain to an already fragile relationship.

Efforts to repair ties have been complicated. Several rounds of talks facilitated by Turkiye and Qatar attempted to build mechanisms for long-term peace, but failed to produce workable solutions. The third round, held in Istanbul on November 6, ended without progress, with Pakistan’s defence minister declaring that the discussions had entered an indefinite pause.

Following the collapse of these talks, the consequences were swift. The Afghan Taliban suspended trade ties with Pakistan, and Islamabad had already shut its borders for trade following October’s clashes, deepening economic and diplomatic tensions.

The joint statement between Pakistan and the EU now places renewed pressure on Kabul to take concrete steps—not only to curb terrorism but also to protect basic rights for its citizens. As regional dynamics shift and diplomatic channels struggle to find footing, both Pakistan and the EU hope Afghanistan will move toward stability, engage in meaningful political processes and uphold international commitments that remain critical for peace in the region.