Pakistani Foreign Minister's Upcoming Visit to Kabul Amid Rising Security Concerns and Afghan Deportations
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Synopsis
Pakistan's Deputy PM Ishaq Dar will visit Kabul to address tensions due to security issues and deportations of Afghan nationals. The visit aims to enhance bilateral cooperation and regional connectivity.
Key Takeaways
- Ishaq Dar leads a high-level delegation to Kabul.
- Focus on security, trade, and connectivity.
- Address concerns regarding TTP and Afghan refugees.
- Strengthening Pak-Afghan relations through dialogue.
- Expectation of positive outcomes from high-level discussions.
Islamabad, April 18 (NationPress) - Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is set to lead a high-ranking delegation to Kabul on Saturday for a one-day visit, part of ongoing collaborative efforts by both nations to mitigate rising tensions amidst security challenges and the forced deportation of Afghan citizens from Pakistan.
The Pakistani delegation will engage in discussions with key figures of the Afghan Taliban, including Afghan Acting Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, and will also conduct talks with Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
According to a release from the Pakistan Foreign Office (PFO), "The discussions will encompass various aspects of the Pak-Afghan relationship, concentrating on enhancing cooperation across all areas of mutual interest, including security, trade, connectivity, and people-to-people relations."
Prior to his trip to Afghanistan, Dar presided over a crucial inter-ministerial meeting at his office on Friday afternoon, attended by Special Representative on Afghanistan Ambassador Sadiq Khan, SAPM Tariq Bajwa, Federal Secretaries of Commerce, Railways, and Interior, along with senior ministry officials.
The Pakistan Foreign Ministry noted that during these internal talks, all facets of the impending visit were thoroughly evaluated, with an emphasis on enhancing bilateral cooperation and fostering regional connectivity.
"The Deputy Prime Minister's visit signifies Pakistan's dedication to fostering ongoing engagement with the fraternal nation of Afghanistan," the statement further asserted.
This visit follows Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan, Sadiq Khan, and his delegation's recent one-day trip to Kabul for the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting.
An Afghan delegation also visited Islamabad, engaging in discussions with Pakistani officials. These high-level meetings have prepared the ground for the forthcoming visit of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
During this visit, Pakistan is anticipated to voice its concerns regarding security, border management, the infiltration of terrorist groups, and the sanctuary provided to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the border regions, as well as the existing support that TTP militants and anti-Pakistan factions receive in Afghanistan.
Moreover, Pakistan is likely to address the situation of illegal Afghan refugees within its borders, including plans to repatriate thousands of Afghan nationals.
On the flip side, the Afghan Taliban is expected to urge the Pakistani government to adopt a more lenient stance towards the repatriation of Afghan refugees, acknowledge issues related to Afghan trade through the Torkham border, and highlight Pakistan's counterterrorism operations, including airstrikes, within Afghan territory.
Islamabad anticipates decisive actions from Kabul against TTP safe havens on its territory and aims for a positive development in bilateral relations through confidence-building measures and ongoing high-level interactions.
