Pakistan Initiates High-Level Talks with Afghanistan Amid Rising Tensions Over Deported Afghans
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Synopsis
The government of Pakistan is initiating high-level talks with Afghanistan to reduce tensions and enhance mutual understanding. This strategy was discussed in a Senate Foreign Affairs Committee meeting, highlighting the importance of confidence-building measures and engagement between the two countries amidst increasing deportations of Afghan citizens.
Key Takeaways
- High-level visits planned between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
- Efforts to improve bilateral relations and address terrorist sanctuary issues.
- Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq provides insights from Kabul visit.
- Recent deportations of Afghans from Pakistan are causing tension.
- Afghan Foreign Ministry acknowledges need for dialogue.
Islamabad, April 15 (NationPress) The government of Pakistan is set to conduct high-level visits and discussions with Afghanistan aimed at reducing tensions and fostering mutual understanding through confidence-building measures. This initiative was deliberated during a session of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, where committee members were informed about strategies to alleviate concerns between the two neighboring nations.
Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq, the Special Envoy for Afghanistan, presented an update to the committee, detailing the developments following his recent visit to Kabul in March. He indicated that the bilateral ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan are anticipated to improve as high-level visits from both sides are being organized.
During the confidential session, Sadiq emphasized that efforts are underway to mend the “strained relationship” between the two countries and to address longstanding concerns, including the issue of terrorist sanctuaries located in Afghanistan.
“I just briefed the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs during an in-camera session about the situation in Afghanistan and the challenges influencing our bilateral relations. A candid and constructive dialogue on regional developments and the future direction of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations was profoundly insightful,” Sadiq remarked.
The initiative for high-level visits was also validated by the Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Irfan Siddiqui, who expressed hope for favorable outcomes in the near future.
“These visits will facilitate the revival of bilateral discussions. Ambassador Sadiq informed the committee that the issue of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is being addressed vigorously with Afghan authorities,” Siddiqui noted.
The planned engagements come at a time when thousands of undocumented and Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders are being sent back from Pakistan to Afghanistan. In the last ten days, over 45,000 Afghans have crossed the Torkham border into Afghanistan.
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi expressed sorrow over what he described as the forced deportation of Afghan refugees and the reportedly poor treatment of those deported, labeling it detrimental to the bilateral relations of the two nations.
The Afghan Foreign Ministry has also verified that both countries have agreed to engage through high-level delegation visits.
“There is a necessity for effective mutual measures and the exchange of high-level delegations,” stated a release from the Afghan Foreign Ministry.
