MM News

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar concluded a one-day trip to Kabul on Tuesday where she held wide-ranging talks with Afghan Taliban leadership on security issues and economic cooperation.

The Foreign Office said Khar and Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi discussed bilateral trade, connectivity, and people-to-people contacts. The meeting was also attended by Afghan Minister for Mines and Petroleum Shahabuddin Delawar.

MoS @HinaRKhar held political consultations with FM of Interim Afghan Govt. Amir Khan Muttaqi. Range of bil. issues of common interest incl. cooperation in education, health,trade & investment,regional connectivity,people-to-people contacts & socioeconomic projects were discussed pic.twitter.com/TO30pq2g34

— Spokesperson ???????? MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) November 29, 2022

Khar met acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi shortly after landing in Kabul. Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq was also part of the delegation, the Foreign Office (FO) said.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs @HinaRKhar concludes her day-long visit of Kabul, departs for Islamabad#MoSinKabul @ForeignOfficePk pic.twitter.com/4EWVsk4z2g

— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) November 29, 2022

Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to introduce new mechanisms for bilateral relations to review all common opportunities and problems through dialogue and to make progress, Afghan officials said.

“Both sides have also agreed to take positive and productive steps for a solution to the problems,” Afghan deputy foreign affairs spokesperson Hafiz Zia Takal said in a statement posted through his Twitter account.

According to the spokesman, Muttaqi brought up the release of Afghan inmates in Pakistan, passenger amenities for cross-border travel, and advancements in trade and transportation. The Afghan side also demonstrated willingness to forward other projects, including the TAPI gas pipeline and railway lines.

Today, a meeting headed by FM Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi with participation of DFM & DGs was held with the Pakistani delegation.

The delegation led by Ms Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs included other officials including… pic.twitter.com/c6J6mMsLi4

— Hafiz Zia Ahmad (@HafizZiaAhmad1) November 29, 2022

The Afghan Taliban’s position on “political relations, economic development, and security” was also explained by him.

Afghan spokesman said that the Pakistani side pledged to provide “decent treatment” for Afghan refugees, resolve issues with cross-border travel, and issue visas. The Pakistani side also stated that they would take action to make transit even easier.

The Afghan statement quoted Khar as saying Pakistan and Afghanistan are Muslim neighbors and share a common culture, their governments should work together to protect their mutual interests.

Khar had earlier attended a luncheon meeting in Kabul which was organized by the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Afghanistan in her honor.

The minister declared that Pakistan would give special preference to the importation of goods from Afghan women-owned businesses.