Officials from Pakistan and Afghanistan recently met in Kabul to discuss ways to improve their strained relationship. The talks focused on issues such as security, trade, and Afghan refugees living in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq, visited Kabul from March 21 to March 23, following the instructions of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. He held discussions with Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi.
According to the Afghan Foreign Ministry, the meeting covered key topics like political and economic cooperation, trade routes, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. Muttaqi stressed that trade and transit should not be affected by political disputes. In response, Sadiq assured that Pakistan would take steps to address these concerns.
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After the meeting, Sadiq posted on social media that both countries had agreed to hold more high-level discussions to strengthen their relationship. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to working closely with Afghanistan for mutual benefit.
Challenges in Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations
Pakistan and Afghanistan have had a complicated relationship for years. When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, many thought relations would improve since Pakistan had previously supported them. However, tensions soon rose again. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of not doing enough to control Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, who allegedly use Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan.
The two countries have also clashed over trade and Afghan refugees living in Pakistan. Recently, the Torkham border crossing was closed for 25 days due to tensions but was temporarily reopened until April 15.
The Issue of Afghan Refugees
Pakistan hosts over 3 million Afghan refugees, with nearly half living in the country without legal documents. In 2023, Pakistan started a campaign to send undocumented Afghan refugees back home. So far, about 80,000 Afghans have returned.
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Pakistan has set March 31 as the deadline for about 1.3 million Afghan refugees with Afghan Citizen Cards and those living illegally to leave voluntarily. After this date, mass deportations will begin, as per an official statement from the Ministry of Interior. Afghanistan has asked Pakistan to extend the deadline, but Pakistan has not agreed to any changes.
The two countries plan to continue talks to find solutions to these issues and improve their relationship.
