Islamabad, May 30, 2025: Pakistan has announced its decision to upgrade its diplomatic mission in Kabul by appointing an ambassador, marking a significant step towards strengthening ties with Afghanistan.
The announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday, who said the move reflects a growing improvement in bilateral relations following his official visit to Kabul on April 19.
“Pakistan-Afghanistan relations are moving in a positive direction,” Dar stated on X. “Upgrading our diplomatic representation will help deepen cooperation in economic, security, counter-terrorism, and trade matters, and foster greater engagement between our two brotherly nations.”
Currently, both countries operate embassies in each other’s capitals, but without full ambassadors. Pakistan’s move comes as part of a broader trend among regional players. China was the first country to accept an ambassador from the Taliban-led administration, despite not formally recognizing it. The United Arab Emirates and others have since followed suit.
Pakistan and Afghanistan share a 2,500-kilometre porous border, dotted with key crossing points that play a critical role in regional trade and cross-border connectivity. Security, however, remains a core issue. Pakistan has long urged Afghan authorities to prevent militant groups, especially the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), from using Afghan territory to stage attacks.
In a recent sign of shifting dynamics, Afghan Taliban commander Saeedullah Saeed issued a warning to anti-Pakistan militants, labeling their actions as misguided and counter to Islamic teachings—a move seen as aligning with Pakistan’s security concerns.
Earlier this month, an informal trilateral meeting was held in Beijing between officials from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced that both Pakistan and the Taliban administration had agreed in principle to exchange ambassadors in the near future.
The Beijing meeting also reaffirmed commitments to expand the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan and to boost regional connectivity. It yielded agreements on increased collaboration in security and counter-terrorism efforts, including joint measures against militant networks and external interference. The three nations also agreed to resume the stalled trilateral dialogue process, with the sixth China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue expected to be held in Kabul.
Tensions between Islamabad and Kabul have eased in recent weeks. During Dar’s April visit to Kabul, Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi raised concerns over Pakistan’s deportation of undocumented Afghan nationals. The two sides pledged to continue dialogue in a constructive atmosphere to resolve mutual concerns, including trade, transit, and border management.
The appointment of ambassadors is expected to signal a new chapter in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, one rooted in greater cooperation, dialogue, and regional stability.
