Afghanistan and Pakistan have officially begun a new chapter in their diplomatic relations by holding the first round of talks under the newly established Political Consultative Mechanism in Islamabad. The initiative is designed to strengthen bilateral cooperation and promote stability across the region.
The Afghan delegation was led by Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor, Director General of the First Political Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Representing Pakistan was Syed Ali Asad Gillani, Additional Secretary for Afghanistan and West Asia at Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry.
According to a statement from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussions covered a broad range of issues, including:
- Political relations
- Trade and transit cooperation
- Regional connectivity
- Developments in regional and international affairs
One of the key topics on the agenda was the situation of Afghan refugees and detainees in Pakistan. Both sides acknowledged the ongoing challenges and stressed the need to:
- Facilitate visa issuance for Afghan patients and businesspeople
- Improve consular services
- Ease bureaucratic restrictions impacting cross-border movement
The two delegations also reaffirmed their mutual commitment to continued diplomatic engagement aimed at resolving outstanding issues. In addition, they emphasized the importance of enhanced security cooperation to ensure regional stability and economic development.
This diplomatic engagement marks a significant step in efforts to normalize and advance Afghanistan–Pakistan relations after years of fluctuating political dynamics.
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