Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is received by Pakistani officials upon his arrival in Islamabad on Friday. — Hafiz Zia Ahmad Twitter
The recent visit of Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to Pakistan has raised expectations for a new era of relations between the two neighboring countries.
The four-day-visit of Muttaqi to Pakistan comes at a crucial time when Afghanistan is facing multiple challenges after the withdrawal of US troops, the resurgence of the Taliban, and the evolving political landscape. Muttaqi’s visit is expected to set the tone for a renewed engagement between the two countries, particularly after the recent Taliban takeover of Kabul.
Pakistan, which has been a key player in Afghanistan’s peace process, has welcomed the visit of Muttaqi and has expressed its willingness to support the Afghan government in achieving peace and stability in the region. During his visit, Muttaqi is expected to hold talks with senior Pakistani officials.
Bilawal, while speaking at the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers in India, said that the situation in Afghanistan presented new challenges as well as opportunities.
He urged the international community to meaningfully engage with the Interim Afghan government to better understand and influence the course of events.
“After being the playground for great powers, time and time again, we owe it to the people of Afghanistan to not repeat the mistakes of the past,” Bilawal said, adding that a united international community must continue to urge the Afghan authorities to adopt universally-accepted principles of political inclusivity, and respecting the rights of all Afghans, including girls’ right to education.
One of the key issues that is likely to be discussed during Muttaqi’s visit is the security situation in Afghanistan, particularly in the wake of the Taliban takeover. Pakistan has been advocating for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Afghanistan, and it is expected that Muttaqi’s visit will provide an opportunity to discuss ways to achieve this objective.
Another important issue that is likely to be on the agenda is the economic cooperation between the two countries. Pakistan has been keen to enhance its trade and economic ties with Afghanistan, particularly after the opening of the Chaman-Spin Boldak border crossing. Muttaqi’s visit is expected to provide an opportunity to explore ways to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.
Furthermore, Muttaqi’s visit can also be seen as a step towards strengthening people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The two countries share a long history and cultural ties, and there is a need to build on these ties to promote mutual understanding and trust between the two nations.
However, there are also some challenges that need to be addressed during Muttaqi’s visit. One of the main challenges is the issue of cross-border terrorism, which has been a major source of tension between the two countries. Pakistan has accused Afghanistan of harboring terrorists who carry out attacks on its soil, while Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of providing support to the Taliban. It is expected that Muttaqi’s visit will provide an opportunity to address these concerns and find a way to move forward.
The Afghan Foreign Ministry has outlined specific matters to be discussed during the upcoming talks with Pakistan, but there could be additional issues that Pakistan wishes to raise. Among these issues is Pakistan’s request for Kabul to take measures against the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Pakistani officials claim is operating from Afghan soil. However, the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan refutes these claims.
Muttaqi’s visit to Pakistan is an important development in the region, and it is expected to provide an opportunity to strengthen the ties between the two neighboring countries. While there are challenges that need to be addressed, there is also a sense of optimism that the visit can pave the way for a new era of cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The international community is closely watching the developments, and it is hoped that the visit will result in a positive outcome that benefits both countries and the region as a whole.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance.
