Pakistan’s National Security Advisor (NSA), Moeed Yusuf, recently paid a two-day visit to Kabul and held meetings with the key Afghan government officials. During this inter-ministerial visit, NSA met Afghanistan Acting Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Salam Hanafi and Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to discuss the current situation in Afghanistan.
Both countries have agreed to develop a national-level coordination and mechanism to expedite the ongoing talks to sign a new trade agreement and increase facilitation at the border crossing points. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Mansoor Ahmed Khan, underscored in a tweet that the focus of NSA’s visit was increasing facilitation in trade, transit, business and humanitarian engagement.
The talks also focused on the humanitarian requirements of Afghanistan and Pakistan’s proposals for deepening economic engagement to overcome the current challenges Afghanistan is facing. Pakistan has also offered capacity-building and training support in multiple sectors including health, education, banking, customs, railways, and aviation.
Both sides have also reaffirmed their commitments towards the timely completion of three major connectivity projects: the Central Asia South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA-1000), the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline (TAPI), and Trans-Afghan Rail project.
In a meeting of traders from both sides, the following points key were discussed:
– Pakistan has abolished e-import requirement for Afghan exports;
– Barter business will be carried out until banks are reactivated;
– All facilities will be provided to Afghan goods at Karachi port.
Both countries have expressed a strong commitment to ensuring peace and stability in the region. The Afghan officials ensured that they will not allow anyone to use Afghan soil against its neighbours and other countries.
The visit took place amidst rising tensions at the Pak-Afghan border, and the increasing attacks of TTP in different parts of Pakistan. It is yet to be seen whether these claims by the Afghans, and the trade facilitation by Pakistan would manifest in actuality.
Source: Dawn
