Dar Says 2021 ISI Visit to Kabul Was a Costly 'Cup of Tea' Misstep

Islamabad — Pakistan's Defence and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told senators on Wednesday that the 2021 trip by then-ISI chief General Faiz Hameed to Kabul was a diplomatic error he described as a "costly cup of tea," saying the episode has contributed to growing security pressures inside Pakistan.

Dar argued the visit, which took place soon after the Taliban assumed control of Afghanistan, helped create conditions for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters and other extremist elements to move back into Pakistani territory. He criticised the previous administration without naming officials directly, suggesting its decisions allowed thousands of fighters and freed militants to re-enter Pakistan.

"We have offered so much outreach that when we visit we say it's for a cup of tea... May Allah ease everyone's hardships, but that cup of tea cost us dearly," Dar said, adding that the visit effectively reopened the border and facilitated the return of operatives behind earlier attacks on Pakistan.

He also said Islamabad remains concerned about cross-border strikes and has repeatedly tried to communicate with Afghan authorities. Dar said he personally contacted Afghan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi six times to press for actions to stop militants launching attacks from Afghan soil. Afghan officials, however, have disputed Dar's characterisation, saying the exchanges were coordinated contacts intended to build mutual understanding.

Dar's remarks come ahead of planned security talks in Istanbul on November 6, aimed at strengthening cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The discussions follow a recent round of cross-border airstrikes and retaliatory incidents that have increased tensions between the neighbours.

Reiterating earlier criticism of the 2021 Kabul meeting, Dar said Pakistan continues to bear the consequences of what he termed an ultimately symbolic but strategically damaging gesture. Pakistani officials say lessons from the episode must inform future engagement to restore regional stability.