Pakistan and Afghanistan have initiated formal discussions at the Additional Secretary-level mechanism between their Foreign Ministries, convening its first round in Islamabad. The talks, part of follow-up measures agreed upon during the earlier visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to Kabul, addressed bilateral cooperation in trade, transit, security, connectivity, and the movement and repatriation of Afghan nationals.
Ambassador Syed Ali Asad Gillani, Additional Secretary (Afghanistan & West Asia) at Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, chaired the meeting from Pakistan’s side. Representing Afghanistan was Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor, Director General of the First Political Division at the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the discussions, both delegations underscored the seriousness of terrorism as a persistent threat to regional peace and stability. The Pakistani delegation specifically highlighted the need for decisive actions against terrorist factions operating from Afghan territory, pointing out that the presence and activities of such groups not only endanger Pakistan’s own security but also hamper broader regional development and economic growth.
Trade and transit infrastructure emerged as another key point of engagement. Both sides carefully reviewed the status of various measures previously announced to facilitate Afghan transit trade. These included removal of the 10 percent processing fee, offering insurance guarantees, reducing the frequency and complexity of cargo scanning and examination procedures, and accelerating the operationalisation of the track-and-trace system. Both Pakistan and Afghanistan reiterated their commitment to swiftly implement these measures, emphasizing their importance for boosting bilateral trade cooperation.
Connectivity was recognized as a critical driver for regional economic growth and shared prosperity. The delegations highlighted particular strategic projects such as the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway, acknowledging its significant potential in enhancing regional trade and connectivity. Both sides agreed on the urgency of concluding the Framework Agreement for this railway project, pledging joint efforts for its timely completion.
Matters related to repatriation and regulated travel of Afghan nationals were also high on the meeting’s agenda. Pakistan provided details of significant steps taken to facilitate legal and documented travel from Afghanistan. Notably, Pakistan has granted over 500,000 visas since January 2024 across various categories including medical care, tourism, business, and educational travel. Both countries agreed to further cooperate and streamline legal cross-border travel, pledging to strengthen mechanisms for documenting and facilitating the legal movement of Afghan nationals.
Reaffirming their dedication to sustained engagement, both sides acknowledged enduring security as the cornerstone for realizing regional development goals and bolstering bilateral relations. Pakistan and Afghanistan committed to an ongoing dialogue to address mutual challenges effectively and build a foundation for lasting stability and cooperation.
The delegations concluded by agreeing to hold the next round of the Additional Secretary-level talks at a mutually convenient future date.
