Pakistan Asserts Federal Control Over Foreign Affairs Amid KP’s Afghanistan Talks Proposal
Pakistan's Kabul mission could be asked to facilitate after Centre's nod.
Islamabad: The Foreign Office has reiterated that foreign affairs fall under the federal government’s jurisdiction in response to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) initiative to send delegations to Afghanistan for discussions on security and economic ties.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan emphasized, “Under the Constitution, foreign affairs are the federal government’s domain,” when addressing queries on the matter.
KP officials recently disclosed plans to send two delegations to Kabul, with the first focused on creating a conducive environment for talks and handling diplomatic issues, while the second will include various stakeholders. However, the federal government must approve the initiative before delegations are dispatched. Sources indicate that the federal government will review all aspects before granting approval and may include its own experts in the process.
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The move comes amid rising terrorist incidents in Pakistan, which Islamabad has repeatedly linked to militant groups operating from Afghanistan, a claim denied by the Taliban-led Afghan government. The porous 2,500 km border between the two nations remains crucial for regional trade, but security concerns, particularly regarding groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), continue to strain relations.
KP’s proposal to hold direct talks with Afghanistan was backed by the province’s Chief Minister Gandapur and former Prime Minister Imran Khan but faced criticism from the federal government, which viewed it as a challenge to the federation’s authority.
