ISLAMABAD: A high-level delegation led by Defense Minister Khawaja Asif visited Kabul amid strained relations between the two countries due to increasing terrorist attacks by the Afghanistan-based TTP, where he met the acting deputy Met Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.
The Foreign Office said in a statement on Wednesday that a high-level delegation will meet Afghan officials to discuss security-related issues, including counter-terrorism measures.
A high-ranking delegation led by the Minister for Defence is in Kabul today to meet with officials of the Afghan Interim Government to discuss security related matters including counter terrorism measures.
— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) February 22, 2023
The delegation includes Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt. Gen. Nadeem Ahmed Anjum, Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq, Foreign Secretary Asad Majeed Khan and Kabul Mission chief Obaidur Rehman Nizamani.
This is the first meeting between the senior leadership of the two countries since Minister of State for External Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar’s visit in November 2022.
The visit follows the closure of the Torkham border crossing by the Afghan authorities following a controversy over the entry of citizens into Pakistan without documents. A Pakistani soldier was also injured as a result of firing by the Afghan Taliban on the border.
“Afghan border officials have made it a problem,” said a senior Pakistani government official at the Torkham border, adding that Pakistani authorities are allowing patients and their companions to go to Peshawar or elsewhere for treatment without visas or legal travel documents. Allow me to enter.”
After the Peshawar Police Lines suicide attack, it was decided to strengthen security measures by making it mandatory for Afghan citizens to carry travel documents.
In a separate statement about the meeting, the Afghan Deputy Prime Minister’s Office said the two parties discussed economic cooperation, regional ties, trade and bilateral relations during the meeting.
1/5: Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, met with the Pakistani Minister of Defense, leading a high-ranking delegation. The two parties discussed economic cooperation, regional connectivity, trade, and bilateral relations pic.twitter.com/a9BbikgNa5
— د ریاست الوزراء اقتصادي معاونیت (@FDPM_AFG) February 22, 2023
“Pakistan and Afghanistan are neighbors and should get along well. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan emphasizes the development of trade and economic relations with Pakistan as it is in the interest of both countries,” Baradar said.
3/5: as they are in the interest of both countries." In addition, Mullah Baradar Akhund said that political and security concerns should not affect business or economic matters. Mullah Baradar Akhund further added that the Islamic Emirate calls on Pakistan to release Afghans
— د ریاست الوزراء اقتصادي معاونیت (@FDPM_AFG) February 22, 2023
The Taliban leader said that political and security concerns should not affect business or economic affairs.
He also asked the authorities to release Afghan nationals detained in detention centers in Pakistan.
5/5: The Pakistani side assured the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan of the aforementioned issues and added that the concerned ministries and appointed committees would soon work. pic.twitter.com/WsXudYBTtR
— د ریاست الوزراء اقتصادي معاونیت (@FDPM_AFG) February 22, 2023
Brother added that the passengers of Torkham and Aspenboldak should be well provided with special care for emergency patients.
According to Baradar’s office, the Pakistani assured Afghanistan about the above-mentioned issues and added that relevant ministries and appointed committees would work soon.
