Iran & Pakistan Concerned About ISIS & Balouch Separatists Using Afghan Soil

Diplomatic sources told Afghanistan International that talks between the Iranian and Pakistani representatives in Islamabad "will probably start on Monday".

According to the sources, both sides have common concerns about ISIS, Baloch separatists, and other "terrorist groups" using Afghan soil.

Hassan Kazemi Qomi, Iran's special representative for Afghanistan, arrived in Islamabad on Sunday, heading a delegation. According to sources, the Iranian delegation consists of four individuals who are crucial in shaping Iran’s policy towards Afghanistan.

During his visit, Qomi will meet Jalil Abbas Jilani, Pakistan's interim Foreign Minister, and Asif Durrani, Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan Affairs.

Although both countries have relatively good relations with the Taliban, however, they have reservations about Afghan soil being used against their countries.

The Iranian government has confirmed that at least one of the ISIS suicide bombers involved in the January 3 attack in Kerman was a Tajik national. According to their announcement, the individual had received training in Afghanistan under the control of the Taliban. The incident resulted in the loss of nearly a hundred civilian lives.

Following the attack in Kerman city of Iran, Qomi had a meeting with Abdul Kabir, deputy prime minister of the Taliban.

At the same time, senior Pakistani officials have repeatedly accused the Taliban of harbouring the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch separatists in Afghanistan. The Taliban has denied these allegations.

Official statistics indicate a rise in violent attacks in different regions of Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan, following the Taliban's takeover of power in Afghanistan.

Pakistani officials say that the origins of the attackers and the weapons used in most of the attacks can be traced back to Afghanistan.