Islamabad, Kabul bonhomie surges
Pakistan and Afghanistan stepped up their contacts as a new push to reset their long troubled ties is making significant strides, officials said here as the foreign ministers from the two countries spoke on Sunday by phone.
The latest telephonic conversation between Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Afghan Interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi came days after Pakistan agreed to upgrade diplomatic ties with Kabul.
The Interim Afghan government welcomed Pakistan's move to appoint a full time Ambassador in Kabul, becoming the fourth country to do so.
China took the lead last year when it sent a full time ambassador to Kabul and accepted a Taliban Envoy in Beijing.
China has been instrumental in persuading Pakistan and Afghanistan to exchange ambassadors. The breakthrough came after the interim Taliban government took a series of steps to address Pakistan's concerns over the cross border terrorist attacks.
Pakistani officials confirmed to The Express Tribune that Kabul for the first time moved against elements particularly the Afghan nationals who either joined the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or were thinking to be part of the group. Scores of such Afghans were arrested as well as those who were facilitating young people to join the ranks of TTP.
Those steps encouraged Pakistan to increase interaction with the Afghan Taliban government. The decision was also significant since India was trying to exploit the strained relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan to its advantage.
A statement issued here by the Foreign Office said Foreign Minister Muttaqi welcomed the decision of Pakistan to up-grade its diplomatic relations to the ambassador level and informed that Afghanistan decided to reciprocate the same.
He termed it a very positive development in bilateral relations.
Both leaders also reviewed implementation of decisions taken during DPM/FM's visit to Kabul on 19 April 2025 and vowed to continue working together to establish mutual trust between the two brotherly nations.
Emphasizing the importance of Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Line Project for regional connectivity, both leaders agreed to work closely for an early finalisation of the framework agreement, according to the statement.
The Afghan foreign minister is expected to visit Islamabad soon. This will be Muttaqi's first visit to Pakistan in two years.
Pakistan and Afghanistan ties have remained strained since Taliban returned to power in August 2021.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistan used own resources in 96-hour conflict with India: Gen Mirza
General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Pakistan's chairman of the joint chiefs of staff committee, speaks during an interview with Reuters on the sidelines of the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue security summit, in Singapore, May 30, 2025, in this screengrab from a video. Photo:REUTERS Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, told BBC that Pakistan fought the recent 96-hour conflict with India using only its own resources. His remarks counter reports from Indian media claiming China's military assistance to Pakistan during the clash between the two nuclear-armed neighbours last month. General Mirza emphasised that Pakistan used equipment comparable to India's and procured some military hardware from other countries. He highlighted that previous skirmishes were limited to disputed areas and did not reach the international border. However, he continued, "This time the borders were relatively peaceful and this time the cities were hot." He argued that this lowering of threshold where cities are considered focal targets is dangerous for both India and Pakistan in any future conflict. #Pakistani Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza talk to BBC: — Kashmiri Tales (@KashmiriTales) June 2, 2025 Tensions between Pakistan and India soared after the April 22 Pahalgam attack, killing 26 in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). India blamed Pakistan-based elements without presenting any evidence, which Islamabad denied calling for an independent probe. India closed the Wagah border, revoked visas, and suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, prompting Pakistan to call it an "act of war." Explosions hit Pakistani cities on May 6–7, as India launched air attacks on Pakistan. Pakistan retaliated with Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, targeting Indian military sites. A US-brokered ceasefire was later announced after escalating military exchanges. "This affects the trade, investment and development needs for 1.5 billion people," says Chairman Mirza. "There is no formalised conflict resolution or management mechanism at the Director-General of military operations of both countries have a hotline that is regularly used on Tuesday to exchange issues and information, and is available on currents if any untoward situation like this, and it can be used at any time. However, this is the only option available." He warned that future conflicts may not remain confined to specific regions and criticized the absence of an effective and organized mechanism to resolve Indo-Pak disputes. He continues that if there is only one defence mechanism available at all times and it faces an Indian polity with a reckless and extremist mindset, then the time window for intervention substantially decreases. He concludes by saying, "With the absence of any conflict management system, the chances of spiraling this conflict remains high". Regarding emergency communications, the chairman noted reliance solely on DGMO hotlines and expressed concern that extremist mindsets limit international intervention time. He added that global powers, including the US, have limited time left for mediation. Read Pakistan launches diplomatic offensive against India Previously, Pakistan on June 2 strongly criticised recent comments by Indian leaders, describing them as reflective of a hostile and dangerous mindset that undermines regional peace. The statement from Pakistan's Foreign Office followed remarks made by India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson on May 29, when he claimed that talks on Kashmir would only proceed if Pakistan 'hands over Azad Jammu and Kashmir' to India. Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said any attempt to blame Pakistan for instability in the region was disconnected from facts. 'The international community is well aware of India's aggressive conduct, including documented evidence of support for terrorism inside Pakistan,' he said.
Business Recorder
10 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Delegations to project Pakistan's perspective on Indian aggression
ISLAMABAD: Pursuant to the prime minister's directive, two high-level multiparty delegations started their visit to New York, Washington DC, Moscow, London and Brussels on 2 June 2025 to project Pakistan's perspective on the recent Indian aggression. In response to media queries, the Spokesperson of the Foreign Office (FO) confirmed that, under the PM instructions, the Pakistani delegations will engage with key capitals, to present the country's perspective on recent Indian aggression and Pakistan's measured and responsible conduct. FO Spokesperson Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan said in a statement on Monday that a nine-member Pakistani delegation is led by Chairman Pakistan People's Party, and former Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The other members of the delegation include Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr Musadik Masood Malik; Chairperson, Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination and former Minister for Information and Climate Change, Senator Sherry Rehman; Chairperson, National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and former Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar; former Minister for Commerce, Defence and Foreign Affairs, Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan; former Minister for Maritime Affairs, Senator Syed Faisal Ali Subzwari; and Senator Bushra Anjum Butt. Bilawal-led delegation reaches US The delegation also includes two former Foreign Secretaries, Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani (retired), who also served as Caretaker Foreign Minister, and Ambassador Tehmina Janjua (retired). Another delegation, led by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Syed Tariq Fatemi, will visit Moscow from 2 June 2025, the spokesperson added. The visits of these delegations are aimed at projecting Pakistan's perspective on the recent Indian aggression. The delegations will highlight Pakistan's responsible and restrained conduct – seeking peace with responsibility – in the face of India's reckless and belligerent actions in violation of international law. They will also highlight that dialogue and diplomacy should take precedence over conflict and confrontation, Ambassador Shafqat remarked. 'The delegations will underscore the imperative for the international community to play its due role in promoting a lasting peace in South Asia,' he said, adding the need for immediate resumption of the normal functioning of the Indus Waters Treaty will also be a key theme of the delegations' outreach. The delegations will engage in a series of meetings with the leadership of international bodies, public office holders, senior officials, parliamentarians, think tanks, media and diaspora. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
11 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Seafood sector: performance highlighted
LAHORE: Pakistan's seafood sector continues to demonstrate resilience and growth, supported by the country's abundant marine resources and increasing international demand. Nazir Hussain, President Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) emphasized the sector's strong export performance and the growing importance of China as a destination for Pakistani seafood products. According to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), Pakistan's seafood exports from July to May (2020-24) stood at $383.088 million; an increase from $373.382 million recorded during the same period in 2019-23. This reflects a year-on-year growth rate of approximately 2.6 percent, despite global economic challenges and fluctuating trade patterns. He added Pakistan is endowed with immense fishing potential, thanks to our 1,000-kilometer-long coastline, diverse aquatic species, and favourable climatic conditions. China has emerged as a pivotal partner in our seafood trade, accounting for a substantial portion of our exports. Brig. Mansoor Saeed Sheikh (retd), Senior Vice President PCJCCI said that China is one of the world's largest consumers and importers of seafood. According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), Pakistan exported around 29% of its total fish and aquatic products to China in 2019 alone. With increasing urbanization and growing consumer demand for high-protein diets, China's seafood imports have surged, creating significant opportunities for Pakistani exporters. Pakistan's geographical proximity, competitive pricing, and abundant supply position it as a natural trading partner for China's seafood sector. Zafar Iqbal, Vice President PCJCCI further highlighted the need for Pakistan's fisheries industry to move toward value-added processing, such as filleting, vacuum-packing, and quick freezing, to capture higher margins in export markets. By investing in modern processing and cold chain infrastructure, we can significantly enhance export revenues and create employment opportunities. There is also rising interest among Chinese investors to establish seafood processing facilities directly in Pakistan. This would reduce logistics costs and improve supply chain efficiency. He added that there is only one factory that has just started working on nitrogen-based quick-freezing ice. This technology helps in maintaining the quality. The product freezes fast. Salahuddin Hanif, Secretary General PCJCCI said that Pakistan's government has taken several steps to boost the fisheries sector, including the modernization of fishing harbours, training for fishermen, and subsidies for cold storage and transport. Additionally, the Marine Fisheries Department is working closely with exporters to ensure compliance with international quality standards. Our goal is to position Pakistan not just as a supplier of raw seafood, but as a competitive producer of high-quality, value-added marine products for international markets. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
