The first round of formal talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan concluded, with both sides recognising terrorism as a serious and shared threat to regional peace and security, and agreeing to formulate a joint strategy to counter it. According to the Foreign Office, the talks were held in Islamabad as part of Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s visit to Kabul on April 19. The Pakistani delegation was led by Additional Secretary for Afghanistan and West Asia, Syed Ali Asad Gillani, while the Afghan side was headed by Director General Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said the high-level meeting covered a wide range of issues including security, trade, transit cooperation, and regional connectivity. Both sides reviewed progress on the facilitative measures announced during Deputy Prime Minister Dar’s Kabul visit, including the operationalization of a track-and-trace system, elimination of a 10% processing fee, provision of insurance guarantees, and reduced customs scanning and inspection.
The Pakistani side reiterated its call for decisive action against terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil, highlighting continued cross-border threats posed by elements targeting Pakistan’s security and stability. “Terror outfits such as the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch insurgents continue to operate from Afghan territory,” said Foreign Office official Asim Iftikhar, underscoring their impact on both security and regional development.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhance bilateral trade and transit cooperation and acknowledged recent efforts to ease cross-border movement. The talks also underscored the strategic importance of the proposed Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway corridor as a regional connectivity initiative.
Discussions also addressed the return of Afghan nationals, with both sides expressing the need for a sustainable solution based on humanitarian principles and mutual understanding. Pakistan highlighted measures taken to facilitate legal and regulated entry from Afghanistan, including the issuance of over 500,000 visas in various categories—medical, tourism, business, and education—since January 2024.
The Foreign Office said the objective of the dialogue is to build mutual trust, strengthen cooperation, and lay the foundation for lasting peace in the region. The next round of talks is expected to take place in Kabul in the near future.
