Pakistan and Afghanistan to engage in high-level talks amid diplomatic push

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Afghanistan have stepped up diplomatic efforts with high-level visits and talks. Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq, Pakistan›s Special Representative for Afghanistan, led a delegation including military and intelligence officials to Kabul. At the same time, Afghan Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi will also head a delegation to Pakistan.

During the Afghan visit, diplomatic sources told The News on Wednesday that Pakistan and Afghanistan are holding key talks on security and border issues in the 7th session of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) in Kabul. The increased terror activities by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since the Taliban takeover of Kabul, deportation of Afghan refugees and violation of international borders by Afghan forces have increased the significance of the talks.

Afghan Deputy Defence Minister Mullah Abdul Qayyum Zakir will lead Kabul’s delegation. Sadiq, who is also Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, is heading the Pakistan delegation to attend the JCC meeting. The JCC meeting is being held after 15 months since the last JCC was held in Islamabad in early January 2024. Kabul is of the view that both delegations will discuss resolving potential disputes along the international border and creating facilities for people.

Meanwhile, Afghan Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi, will visit Pakistan soon. Noor Azizi will meet Commerce Minister Jam Kamal and they will hold discussions on the preferential trade agreement, reduction in tariffs on certain items and revised transit agreement and facilities for traders at border points.