Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Thursday said the Afghan government sees no significant change in Pakistan’s policy towards insurgents, even after US President Donald Trump announced his new strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia. 

No change has occurred in Pakistan’s policy towards the insurgents and instead relations between Kabul and Islamabad have further deteriorated, MoFA deputy spokesman Sibghat Ahmadi said on Thursday. 

This comes ahead of US Defense Secretary James Mattis’ visit to Islamabad in December where he will hold discussions with Pakistani officials on the issue of insurgent safe havens and sanctuaries in the country.

In August Trump unveiled his new war strategy that encompasses Afghanistan and South Asia. In the new strategy, the US leader strongly criticized Pakistan for its controversial role in the campaign against terrorism and accused Islamabad of harboring militant groups that continue to wage war against Afghanistan. 

Although Trump adopted a harsh tone towards Pakistan in the new strategy, Kabul has stated that there has been no visible change in Pakistan’s anti-terror policy nor has it taken solid action against militants. 

“Unfortunately, no change has occurred and no results were achieved, our relations with Pakistan are getting worse each day and ties are deteriorating,” said Ahmadi.

“Taliban and Daesh militants who are the slaves of Pakistani military attacked Dangam and Chapadarah (in Kunar province) with the support of Pakistani forces,” said Kunar police chief Juma Gul Hemat. 

“There is a need to mount strong pressure on Pakistan, in that case, it will have no option,” said former deputy minister of interior Mirza Mohammad Yarmand.

“Pakistan constitutes a part of US’s greater strategy and there is no benefit for us in the face of its objectives,” said military analyst Gharzai Khawkhogai.

Afghanistan has criticized Pakistan for its lack of counter-terrorism efforts – especially after the recent Quadrilateral Coordination Group meeting between representatives from Afghanistan, Pakistan, the US and China. 

At the meetings, all parties called on Pakistan to support Afghanistan in its fight against militants. But MoFA says that these talks have had no effect on the peace process.