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Kathy Gannon Warns of Militancy Risks Amid Improving Pak-Afghan Ties
Veteran journalist Kathy Gannon says militant groups in Afghanistan remain a regional threat. At an IRS event, experts urged trust-building and praised recent diplomatic progress between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
ND
by News Desk
2025-06-06
Kathy Gannon Warns of Militancy Risks Amid Improving Pak-Afghan Ties

Veteran journalist and news director of the Associated Press for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Kathy Gannon, has warned that the continued presence of various militant groups in Afghanistan poses a serious threat to regional peace and stability. Speaking at a high-profile event titled “Geopolitical Shifts and Security Challenges: Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Regional Power Play” organized by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) in Islamabad on Friday, Gannon called for renewed trust-building between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“While Afghanistan might not want all the militant groups on its territory nor did Kabul invite them all, but they are still there,” said Gannon, who was seriously injured while reporting from Afghanistan in 2014.

She underscored the need for a long-term strategy by Pakistan to address internal security threats and urged Islamabad to take decisive action against all terrorist groups. Gannon also noted that Afghanistan continues to hold strategic significance for the United States due to its mineral wealth and growing Chinese influence.

Highlighting the recent improvement in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, Gannon stressed that Pakistan could play a more influential role by treating Afghanistan as an equal partner in regional diplomacy and security.

Ambassador Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s former Special Representative for Afghanistan, referred to both nations as “twin brothers” who have supported each other in difficult times, regardless of the state of their official relations. He welcomed the diplomatic upgrades and Afghanistan’s inclusion in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as key developments.

The event’s press release stated that the recent trilateral meeting in Beijing between Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan marked a significant milestone. The three nations committed to opposing terrorism, enhancing security cooperation, and resisting external interference in regional affairs.

Durrani pointed out a notable decline in terrorist activities in Pakistan following the renewed diplomatic efforts between the two countries.

President IRS Ambassador Jauhar Saleem echoed this optimism, saying, “Despite challenges, regional geopolitics and mutual interests have continuously pushed both countries to re-engage across various levels.” He expressed hope that the trilateral dialogue will further strengthen regional cooperation in counterterrorism and economic integration.

Aarish Khan, Head of the Afghanistan Program at IRS, highlighted that while the Taliban have yet to meet international expectations on issues such as women’s rights and political inclusivity, they have made progress in diplomatic relations with key global players, including Beijing, Moscow, Islamabad, and the United Nations — citing last year’s Doha III talks as a sign of international engagement.

He also stated that the Afghan interim government has recently taken concrete action against the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Ambassador Abrar Hussain, former Pakistani Ambassador to Afghanistan, emphasized that Pakistan’s foremost priority remains ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan, regardless of which government is in power in Kabul.

In a major diplomatic move last month, Pakistan announced it had elevated its representation in Afghanistan from Charge d’Affaires to Ambassador level — a step widely seen as a sign of normalizing relations. Both countries agreed to exchange ambassadors following years of strained ties, border tensions, and accusations over militant safe havens.

This understanding was reached during a trilateral foreign ministers’ meeting in Beijing, where Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with Afghanistan’s interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Chinese counterparts to discuss regional cooperation.

As diplomatic efforts continue, regional analysts remain cautiously optimistic about the future of Pakistan-Afghanistan ties amid shared interests in security and stability.

 
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Afghanistan

RegionalSecurity

PakAfghanRelations

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