Islamabad:
The long -awaited visit of the Acting Afghan Minister for Foreign Affairs Amir Khan Muttaqi to Islamabad was postponed at the last minute due to what civil servants quoted as a “technical problem”.
Muttaqi was to start a crucial three -day trip to Islamabad from August 4, as part of the renewed efforts of both parties to reset their troubled relationship.
The preparations had been finalized and all the commitments of the Minister of Afghan Aftromans have confirmed. However, before Islamabad and Kabul can officially announce the visit on Sunday, a “technical problem” forced a delay.
Although civil servants have not developed the nature of the question, it is supposed to be linked to the prohibition of travel imposed by the Taliban. The two parties should work together to adjust the technical hitch, the visit likely to take place as soon as possible.
Muttaqi’s visit had been expected for a long time, because the two countries have worked to defuse tensions.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ishaq Dar, went to Kabul twice since April to a renewed diplomatic thrust to solve the problems linked to bilateral ties.
High-level exchanges have produced progress, in particular on concerns about the presence of Pakistan of Tehreek-E-Taliban Prohibited (TTP) and other anti-Pakistani groups. According to officials, the Taliban administration has taken certain measures, in particular by discouraging Afghan nationals from joining the ranks of TTP.
In another sign of improving links, Pakistan and Afghanistan have also agreed to upgrade their diplomatic relations in terms of ambassador’s appointments.
Sources have confirmed that Muttaqi is eager to visit Pakistan and will do so as soon as the problem is solved.
This would mark his first visit to Islamabad since May 2023, when he attended a trilateral meeting involving the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Afghanistan and China.
According to sources, Beijing has also played a key role in the merger of Islamabad and Kabul.
Pakistan has long been urging the Taliban -led government in Kabul to fight threats posed by prohibited groups such as TTP. Although Kabul publicly denied the presence of these groups, he has deprived an inability to take measures against them.
However, Pakistan has managed to persuade the Afghan regime to take concrete measures, including repressions on Afghan nationals involved in the TTP. The Afghan authorities have also taken measures against those who facilitate others to join the group.
The measures have helped to facilitate tensions between the two neighbors.
Officials said Pakistan would continue to encourage the Taliban government to pursue similar actions. In return, Pakistan and China are ready to support Kabul both economically and diplomatically.
