According to a Tolo News report, Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, visited Kabul and met with Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, to discuss relations between the two neighboring countries. The talks focused on trade, transit, security, and the situation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
During the meeting, Muttaqi stressed that trade and transit barriers harm both countries and should not be linked to unrelated political issues. Both sides discussed practical steps to resolve these challenges and improve economic cooperation. Zia Ahmad Takal, head of public relations at the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that Muttaqi told the Pakistani delegation that restricting trade and transit benefits no one and that issues should be addressed separately.
Another major topic was the return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan. The Pakistani envoy acknowledged that Afghanistan’s stability is in Pakistan’s best interest and assured that Pakistan would work to ease visa processes for Afghan citizens.
Experts have shared mixed views on the visit. Military analyst Yousuf Amin Zazai argued that Pakistan has historically shown hostility toward Afghanistan, making long-term trust difficult. Meanwhile, political analyst Jannat Faheem Chakari viewed the visit as a positive step toward resolving migration challenges and improving political ties between the two nations.
Recent border clashes, Pakistan’s airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, and the deportation of Afghan refugees have strained relations between the two countries over the past year. However, the latest discussions signal an effort to address key concerns and stabilize ties.
