Pakistan and Afghanistan on Saturday agreed to continue dialogue for resolving bilateral issues amid high-level talks in Kabul.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Kabul earlier today for a day-long visit to discuss security issues that could potentially lead to a thaw in relations between the two neighbours after protracted stalemate over Islamabad’s terrorism concerns.
The much-awaited visit follows the latest round of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Coordination Committee meeting in Kabul. Pakistan’s delegation was led by Ambassador Sadiq Khan, the country’s special representative for Afghanistan.
Speaking to the media before his departure, he said that the two countries share deep-rooted brotherly ties which must be further strengthened, state-media Radio Pakistan reported.
Dar said Pakistan has concerns regarding terrorism and discussions will be held with the Afghan side on this matter.
“Our aim is to foster collaboration that serves the mutual interests of the peoples of both countries as well as the region,” he added.
The deputy PM was welcomed at the airport by the dignitaries of the Afghan government, according to a statement by the Pakistan Embassy. The statement added that the Pakistan’s Head of Mission in Afghanistan Ambassador Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani and officers of the embassy were also present on the occasion.
During the visit, Dar will call on Afghan Acting Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund, also meet with Afghan Acting Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs Mullah Abdul Salam Hanafi, and hold in-depth talks with Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Foreign Office (FO) said in a post on X.
“There are some reasons for the coldness in relations with Afghanistan in the last few years,” Dar told state-media Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) ahead of his departure.
He continued, “I think that the security of Pakistan, the people, of their lives, and of their properties is very important. We have concerns regarding terrorism, which we will discuss.”
He said that there were immense opportunities for trade, economy, and investment between the two countries. “Our links with Central Asia can be done through rail, but unless Afghanistan becomes a partner, a railway link between Pakistan and Central Asia cannot be built without it,” he added.
He further said that the potential in trade was not being utilised, adding that the PM and other stakeholders decided that we would engage with Afghanistan.
Dar also highlighted the trade and investment talks between the two countries held earlier this week. Afghan Acting Minister for Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi led a high-level delegation to Pakistan to explore ways to enhance trade ties.
He said that he was leaving with a “goodwill message” and stated, “Both Muslim countries should become close partners of each other and do whatever is possible for the economic development of the people of both countries and for the betterment of the people.”
A day earlier, FO spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said, “At the invitation of Acting Afghan Foreign Minister, […] Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, will lead a high-level delegation to Kabul tomorrow.”
He said that the talks will cover the entirety of the Pak-Afghan relationship, focusing on ways to bolster cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, including security and trade.
The trip comes in light of rising tensions between the two countries, with Afghan refugee deportations, skirmishes along the border, and the increased activity of armed groups within Pakistan since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.
Pakistan maintains that these armed groups operate from within Afghan soil, a claim that Afghan officials have denied, maintaining that no one can use Afghan soil against any country.
American Dollar Exchange Rate