ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to defuse prevailing tension, strengthen bilateral relations and promote trade and economic ties between the two immediate neighbours.
In a major development in recent months, Pakistan’s Special Representative, Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq has dashed to Kabul on a two-day official visit and held consecutive crucial meetings with key Afghan ministers and traders. He also met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, Tuesday, in Kabul.
Both leaders held wide ranging discussions during the meeting. They agreed to work together to further strengthen bilateral cooperation as well as for peace and progress in the region. The two sides also decided to start normalising strained relations.
It is worth mentioning here that ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan had been strained due to frequent border clashes and Islamabad repeatedly demanding Kabul to take action against the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and dismantle terror hideouts on Afghan soils.
Kabul, however, denies the allegations.
Ambassador Sadiq, Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan, accompanied by his delegation, met Afghan acting Minister for Interior Sirajuddin Haqqani in Kabul.
During the meeting, a range of bilateral issues of common interest were discussed. Both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields to further enhance the fraternal relations between the two countries.
Ambassador Sadiq also held fruitful meetings with Afghan traders and chamber representatives from across Afghanistan to discuss enhanced trade cooperation and economic ties, fostering a stronger bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Sadiq and his delegation were warmly received by senior IAG officials in Kabul, Monday evening. Ambassador Sadiq said he held meaningful meetings with the Interim Afghan ministers to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields and advance the fraternal ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2024