Islamabad, April 19, 2025: Pakistan and Afghanistan have reaffirmed their commitment to regional peace, development, and mutual cooperation during a high-level diplomatic visit by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, to Kabul.
Dar is leading a senior delegation on a one-day official visit to the Afghan capital, following an invitation from Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. The delegation includes Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Ambassador Sadiq Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, federal secretaries for commerce, railways, and interior, along with other senior officials, according to a statement from the Foreign Office.
Upon arrival at Kabul Airport, Dar was received by senior Afghan officials and Pakistani diplomats based in Afghanistan. This visit marks Dar’s first official trip to Kabul amid ongoing tensions between the two nations over security issues and the deportation of undocumented Afghan nationals from Pakistan.
During his stay, Dar held wide-ranging discussions with key Afghan leaders, including Interim Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund, Acting Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs Mullah Abdul Salam Hanafi, and Acting Foreign Minister Muttaqi.
The meetings focused on key areas of mutual interest, including security cooperation, trade, transit, and broader bilateral relations. Both sides emphasized the importance of sustained dialogue in a constructive and positive environment to resolve issues and advance shared goals.
Speaking to the media prior to his departure from Noor Khan Airbase earlier in the day, Dar underscored the historic and religious bonds between the two neighbouring nations.
“Afghanistan is a neighbouring Muslim country with which Pakistan has deep-rooted and brotherly ties,” he said. “Our relationship has always resembled that of two brothers, and it should remain so.”
Addressing the strains in recent years, Dar acknowledged challenges stemming from concerns over terrorism and the safety of Pakistani citizens.
“There has been a certain frostiness in ties, primarily due to concerns about Pakistan’s national security and terrorism threats,” he noted.
Despite the hurdles, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed hope for stronger economic collaboration, particularly in trade and infrastructure.
“There is immense trade and economic potential between the two countries. Through Afghanistan, Pakistan can connect with Central Asia via rail. However, the realization of this vision requires the establishment of a functional railway department in Afghanistan,” he said.
Dar stressed the need to unlock untapped economic opportunities and emphasized goodwill and cooperation as a path forward.
“I come with a message of goodwill. We must do all we can for the economic uplift and prosperity of our people through mutual collaboration,” he added.
As part of his visit, Dar is scheduled to meet with Afghanistan’s top leadership to further discuss bilateral cooperation and regional stability.
