Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) 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.
According to a statement by the Foreign Office (FO), Dar engaged in extensive discussions with acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
The statement said, “The discussions encompassed a comprehensive range of topics pertaining to bilateral relations, underscoring the need to devise strategies for enhancing cooperation across diverse areas of mutual interest, including security, trade, transit, connectivity, and people to people contacts.”
“The deputy prime minister emphasised the paramount importance of addressing all pertinent issues, particularly those related to security and border management, in order to fully realise the potential for regional trade and connectivity,” it added.
The FO further said, “Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to fostering mutually beneficial relations and agreed on the importance of maintaining high-level engagement.”
Later, Dar called on the acting Afghan Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund, the FO added in a separate statement.
Both sides exchanged views on key issues of mutual interest, including security, trade and transit cooperation, and explored ways to enhance people-to-people contacts.
Reaffirming the commitment to continued engagement, both sides agreed to maintain high-level exchanges to further strengthen the relations between the two brotherly countries
Dar also met acting Afghan DPM Mullah Abdul Salam Hanafi for talks in which the two leaders discussed all issues of mutual interest, including peace and security, and people-to-people contacts.
They also agreed to enhance bilateral trade, transit and economic cooperation, to the mutual benefit of the people of both countries. They further decided to remain engaged to achieve the full potential of regional economic development, including through realisation of trans-regional connectivity projects
Speaking to the media before his departure, Dar 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.
