Pakistan’s Dar Calls 2021 Kabul ISI Visit Costly Cup Of Tea Mistake

Islamabad – Pakistan’s Defence and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has described the 2021 visit of former ISI chief General Faiz Hameed to Kabul as a “costly cup of tea,” warning that the diplomatic misstep contributed to rising security threats inside Pakistan. Dar spoke during a Senate session on Wednesday, emphasizing that the visit, which occurred shortly after the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, should serve as a lesson for future foreign policy decisions.

Dar linked the 2021 visit to the entry of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants and other extremist groups from Afghan territory into Pakistan, attributing a surge in terrorist attacks to this “mistake.” Without naming Hameed, he criticized the prior government, implying that their actions allowed thousands of Taliban fighters and released militants to return across the border.

“Pakistan has done so much outreach that when we go there, we say that we are here for a cup of tea... May Allah ease everyone's difficulties, but that cup of tea cost us the most,” Dar said. He added that the visit essentially reopened the border and triggered the return of fighters responsible for prior acts of violence against Pakistan.

Dar also noted ongoing concerns over cross-border attacks and highlighted that Pakistan had attempted multiple phone discussions with Afghan authorities. According to him, he personally contacted Afghan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi six times to urge that no terrorist activities be launched from Afghan soil. However, Afghan officials have disputed these claims, describing the interactions as coordinated exchanges aimed at mutual understanding.

The remarks come ahead of a scheduled round of talks in Istanbul on November 6, aimed at furthering security cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan. These discussions follow last month’s cross-border airstrikes and retaliatory attacks, which heightened tensions between the neighboring nations.

Dar has previously criticized the same 2021 Kabul visit, reiterating that Pakistan continues to pay a price for what he described as a symbolic and ultimately costly diplomatic gesture. As Islamabad seeks stronger regional stability, officials stress that lessons from past actions, including the “cup of tea” episode, must guide future engagement with Afghanistan.