Latest news with #Pakistan-Afghanistan
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Kabul to reciprocate Islamabad ties upgrade
Afghanistan has welcomed Pakistan's decision to upgrade diplomatic engagement with Kabul, saying that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) – the name the interim Taliban government uses for itself – will also reciprocate the move, according to the TOLOnews television. The IEA's Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed Islamabad's recent decision to elevate its diplomatic relations in Kabul from chargé d'affaires to ambassador. "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will also reciprocally upgrade the level of its chargé d'affaires in Islamabad to ambassador," said Zia Ahmad Takal, head of public relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul. "Elevating the level of diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan will pave the way for expanding cooperation between the two countries across many sectors," he added in a statement also published on the official "X" account of the ministry. The statement came a day after Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who held a second meeting with China's foreign minister within a span of 10 days in Hong Kong, announced the upgrading of diplomatic ties with Kabul. "Pakistan-Afghanistan relations are on a positive trajectory after my very productive visit to Kabul with the Pakistan delegation on 19th April 2025," Dar said in a statement on Friday. "To maintain this momentum, I am pleased to announce the decision of the Government of Pakistan to upgrade the level of its chargé d'affaires in Kabul to the level of ambassador," he added. "I am confident this step would further contribute towards enhanced engagement, deepen Pak-Afghan cooperation in economic, security, CT & trade areas and promote further exchanges between two fraternal countries," he further stated. Afghan political analyst Sayed Moqaddam Amin welcomed Pakistan's decision as "another positive move." "I hope this step, considering the vital interests of both parties and by fostering good relations and friendship, will provide a solution to existing challenges and deepen the political and diplomatic relations between Kabul and Islamabad," Amin was quoted as saying by TOLOnews.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Afghanistan welcomes upgrade of diplomatic ties with Pakistan
Afghanistan has welcomed Pakistan's decision to upgrade diplomatic engagement with Kabul, saying that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) – the name the interim Taliban government uses for itself – will also reciprocate the move, according to the TOLOnews television. The IEA's Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed Islamabad's recent decision to elevate its diplomatic relations in Kabul from chargé d'affaires to ambassador. 'The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will also reciprocally upgrade the level of its chargé d'affaires in Islamabad to ambassador,' said Zia Ahmad Takal, head of public relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul. 'Elevating the level of diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan will pave the way for expanding cooperation between the two countries across many sectors,' he added in a statement also published on the official 'X' account of the ministry. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan welcomes the decision of the Government of Pakistan to upgrade the level of its diplomatic mission in Kabul to that of an ambassador. In reciprocity, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will elevate the... — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Afghanistan (@MoFA_Afg) May 31, 2025 The statement came a day after Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who held a second meeting with China's foreign minister within a span of 10 days in Hong Kong, announced the upgrading of diplomatic ties with Kabul. 'Pakistan-Afghanistan relations are on a positive trajectory after my very productive visit to Kabul with the Pakistan delegation on 19th April 2025,' Dar said in a statement on Friday. Read More: Pakistan to restore full diplomatic ties with Afghanistan 'To maintain this momentum, I am pleased to announce the decision of the Government of Pakistan to upgrade the level of its chargé d'affaires in Kabul to the level of ambassador,' he added. 'I am confident this step would further contribute towards enhanced engagement, deepen Pak-Afghan cooperation in economic, security, CT & trade areas and promote further exchanges between two fraternal countries,' he further stated. Afghan political analyst Sayed Moqaddam Amin welcomed Pakistan's decision as 'another positive move.' 'I hope this step, considering the vital interests of both parties and by fostering good relations and friendship, will provide a solution to existing challenges and deepen the political and diplomatic relations between Kabul and Islamabad,' Amin was quoted as saying by TOLOnews.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pakistan upgrades ties with Afghanistan
Listen to article Pakistan on Friday officially confirmed that it was upgrading diplomatic ties with Afghanistan and would soon exchange ambassadors with Kabul, in a significant shift in Islamabad's policy towards Kabul. The announcement of upgrading ties was first made by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi last week when he hosted foreign ministers of Pakistan and Afghanistan in Beijing. On Friday, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who held a second meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister within a span of 10 days in Hong Kong, issued a statement, announcing the upgrading of ties with Kabul. "Pakistan-Afghanistan relations are on a positive trajectory after my very productive visit to Kabul with the Pakistan delegation on 19th April 2025," Dar said in a statement. "To maintain this momentum, I am pleased to announce the decision of the Government of Pakistan to upgrade the level of its Chargé d'Affaires in Kabul to the level of Ambassador," he added. "I am confident this step would further contribute towards enhanced engagement, deepen Pak-Afghan cooperation in economic, security, CT & trade areas and promote further exchanges between two fraternal countries," he further said. Pakistan and Afghanistan have maintained diplomatic presence in each other's capitals but the missions were headed by charged affairs and not the full time Ambassadors. Exchanging ambassadors means that Pakistan would move a step closer to recognizing the Taliban government. China was the first country which sent a full time Ambassador to Kabul and accepted the Taliban envoy in March this year. A senior Pakistani official defended the move, saying apart from China, other regional countries including Turkey and Russia were also contemplating appointing their full time Ambassadors to Kabul. It is believed that China was nudging both sides from behind the scenes to resolve their issues through dialogue. Sources said for the first time the Taliban government had shown not only willingness but initiated certain steps to rein in groups operating out of its territory. The Taliban government recently launched a crackdown on elements supporting groups inimical to Pakistan. Kabul in particularly targeted Afghan citizens, who joined the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Another major sign suggesting a shift in its approach was a statement by Senior Afghan Taliban commander Saeedullah Saeed, who on Wednesday warned militant factions against unauthorized jihad, particularly in Pakistan, saying such actions were against Shariah and the orders of the Islamic Emirate's leadership. Speaking at a police passing-out ceremony, Saeed said that fighting in any country, including Pakistan, without the explicit command of the Amir is not permissible. "Joining various groups to wage jihad abroad does not make one a true mujahid," he stated. "Only the Amir of the state has the authority to declare jihad — not individuals or groups." Saeed emphasized that those carrying out attacks independently or moving between regions to conduct operations cannot be classified as legitimate fighters under Islamic law. "Jihad based on personal ego or group loyalty is considered fasad (corruption), not legitimate resistance," he added. The issue of terrorism was one of the key talking points during the three-way talks in Beijing. The Chinese official read out said Wang Yi stressed the need for combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. He also called for joint cooperation to combat the menace of terrorism and cautioned against external interference. In the wake of recent escalation in tensions into a military conflict between India and Pakistan, New Delhi was trying to reach out to the Taliban government. Breaking from its decades-old policy, Indian External Affairs Minister S J Shankar spoke to the Afghan interim Foreign Minister. The move seems to be part of India's recalibration in order to put pressure on Pakistan. But the meeting in Beijing appears to have preempted that move. The Chinese foreign ministry statement suggested that there was great incentive for the Taliban government to work closely with Beijing and Islamabad.
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan finally appoints ambassador to Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD: In a major surprising move amid lingering tense ties between the two neighbours, Government of Pakistan has decided to upgrade the level of its chargé d'affaires in Kabul to the level of ambassador. The important decision has been announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, after having broad-based consultations with the prime minister and other relevant stakeholders. Pakistan-Afghanistan relations are on a positive trajectory after my very productive visit to Kabul with Pakistan delegation on 19th April 2025, he remarked. 'To maintain this momentum, I am pleased to announce the decision of the Government of Pakistan to upgrade the level of its Chargé d'Affaires in Kabul to the level of Ambassador. I am confident this step would further contribute towards enhanced engagement, deepen Pak-Afghan cooperation in economic, security, CT and trade areas and promote further exchanges between two fraternal countries,' the Foreign Office statement quoting DPM as saying on Friday. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
The Wire
2 days ago
- Business
- The Wire
Pakistan to Send Ambassador to Taliban Regime
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now Top Stories Pakistan to Send Ambassador to Taliban Regime The Wire Staff 7 minutes ago The decision, which marks a further thaw in bilateral ties, will make Islamabad the fourth capital to send an ambassador to the Taliban. Pakistani foreign and deputy prime minister Ishaq Dar made the announcement on Friday, May 30. File photo: X/@mishaqdar50. Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now New Delhi: Pakistan will appoint an ambassador to the Taliban-run Afghanistan, where its highest diplomatic official is currently a charge-d'affaires, it said on Friday (May 30), marking an improvement in the two countries' strained bilateral relations. The announcement by Pakistani foreign minister and deputy prime minister Ishaq Dar came days after he met his Afghan and Chinese counterparts, Amir Khan Muttaqi and Wang Yi, in Beijing, where Islamabad and Kabul had discussed enhancing ties. Writing on X on Friday, Dar described Pakistan-Afghanistan relations as being on a 'positive trajectory' after his meeting with Muttaqi, who is the Taliban's acting foreign minister, in Kabul last month. He said: 'To maintain this momentum, I am pleased to announce the decision of the Government of Pakistan to upgrade the level of its Chargé d'Affaires in Kabul to the level of Ambassador.' 'I am confident this step would further contribute towards enhanced engagement, deepen Pak-Afghan cooperation in economic, security, CT & trade areas and promote further exchanges between two fraternal countries,' Dar continued. Kabul is yet to officially respond to the announcement. Pakistan is the fourth country to designate an ambassador as its highest diplomatic representative to Afghanistan since its 2021 takeover by the Taliban, after China, the UAE and Uzbekistan. None of these countries – or any nation in the world for that matter – formally recognises the Taliban regime, but it has been noted that an ambassador presenting their credentials to the regime in Kabul would count as a step in the way of recognition. While Pakistan and Afghanistan said they discussed enhancing bilateral ties and trade following the informal trilateral foreign ministers' meeting in Beijing on May 21, the Chinese foreign ministry's readout said that Islamabad and Kabul 'agreed in principle to exchange ambassadors as soon as possible'. The three sides also discussed extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan, Beijing's readout further said. Pakistan's state-run radio also mentioned discussions on this topic. Friday's announcement also comes against the backdrop of enhanced relations between Afghanistan and India, with a phone call by external affairs minister S. Jaishankar with Muttaqi earlier this month marking the first ministerial-level engagement between New Delhi and the Taliban regime after it stormed to power four years ago. Before the May 15 phone call, foreign secretary Vikram Misri had met Muttaqi in Doha in January. Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been tense amid Kabul's opposition to Islamabad's demarcation of their western frontier, Afghanistan's support for the Tehreek-i-Taliban militant group operating across the border, recurring clashes between the Pakistani army and Taliban forces, and the expulsion of Afghan refugees by the Pakistani government. The recent thaw in relations began when Dar met Muttaqi on April 19 in Kabul. Make a contribution to Independent Journalism Related News Jaishankar Speaks to Taliban Counterpart, Welcomes Kabul's Rejection of Pak Claims During Conflict India's Outreach to Kabul Amid Simmering 'Pashtunistan' Demand Could Give It Leverage Over Pakistan US Reviewing Taliban's Classification as 'Foreign Terrorist Organisation' China Calls for 'Restraint' After Pahalgam, Reaffirms Support for Pakistan's 'Sovereignty' Why Naya Bharat Needs a Jameel Mahmood India Dismisses Pakistan's Claim of Role in Balochistan Attack as 'Baseless' Kerala Journalist Arrested by Nagpur Police for Criticising Operation Sindoor India Needs a Strategic Reset After Pahalgam Terror Attack, Operation Sindoor Pakistan's Slick US Strategy: It's Deja Vu All Over Again About Us Contact Us Support Us © Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
