Hina Rabbani Khar, the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs, arrived in Kabul on Tuesday for extensive talks with the Taliban leadership that will focus on security challenges and economic cooperation.
Khar, who is leading a high-level team, is the first minister to visit the Afghan capital since April when Shehbaz Sharif became prime minister.
The Foreign Office (FO) stated in a statement that Khar met with Amir Khan Muttaqi shortly after arriving in Kabul. Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan, is also a member of the team.
The state minister is meeting with Taliban commanders amid skepticism over various topics, such as border exchanges of gunfire and an increase in Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) assaults. Pakistan asserts that TTP operates on Afghan land, which the Afghan Taliban reject.
The Foreign Office announced earlier that the minister of state will engage in political conversation with the Afghan interim administration.
FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated in a press release on Monday that bilateral relations, including cooperation in the fields of education, trade and investment, regional connectivity, people-to-people connections, and regional security issues, will be reviewed.
According to the announcement, Khar would also underline Pakistan’s continuous “commitment and support for all measures to strengthen peace and enhance prosperity in Afghanistan.”
“As a friend and neighbor, Pakistan will reiterate its unwavering solidarity with the Afghan people, particularly via its efforts to alleviate the humanitarian situation and to offer meaningful chances for the economic development of Afghan men, women, and children,” the statement continued.
According to Afghan officials, Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to develop new procedures for bilateral relations to examine all mutual possibilities and concerns through conversation and make progress.
“Both sides have agreed to take good and productive efforts toward a resolution,” Afghan deputy foreign affairs spokesman Hafiz Zia Takal said in a tweet.
Takal added that Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi termed the relationship between the two neighboring nations as vital to the people and the region.
According to the spokesperson, Muttaqi raised the issues of the release of Afghan detainees in Pakistan, the facilitation of cross-border passenger movement, and the advancement of trade and transit. The Afghan side also demonstrated a willingness to advance the TAPI gas pipeline, rail lines, and other projects.
He also explained the Afghan Taliban’s perspective on “political relations, economic growth, and security.”
The Pakistani side offered “fair treatment” for Afghan refugees, solutions to cross-border movement issues, and visa issuance, according to the Pakistani spokeswoman. “The Pakistani side also stated that they will take additional steps to facilitate transportation.”
According to the Afghan statement, Khar stated that Pakistan and Afghanistan are Muslim neighbors with cultural commonalities and that both countries should work together to further mutual interests.
TTP attacks
Khar’s visit to Kabul occurred mere hours after the TTP terminated its ceasefire and ordered its activists to launch attacks.
The Taliban hosted the discussions between the TTP and the Pakistani government, and in the final week of July, the Pashtoon Jirga met with Taliban leaders in Kabul.
Pakistan might exert pressure on the Afghan side to exert pressure on TTP leaders to return to the negotiating table.
Saleh Shah, a former senator, and leader of the JUI-F stated last week that he has met with TTP commanders and the necessary Pakistani authorities to reopen negotiations.
“Yes, Saleh Shah sent a government message last week,” he confirmed, without elaborating.
Border protection
As there have been violent occurrences along the border, border security may potentially be a topic of discussion.
The Kharlachi border in the Kurram district was reopened on Sunday after being closed for a few days due to an exchange of fire between both sides.
During the talks, Pakistan is anticipated to express its issues regarding women’s rights, girls’ education, and human rights.
This month, Pakistani special envoy Mohammad Sadiq addressed these problems during his speech at the Moscow Format Consultations.
Mistrust
The Afghan side is anticipated to express its worry over the alleged use of Pakistani airspace by U.S. drones to invade Afghanistan, as claimed by Taliban officials.
After a U.S. drone bombed a residence in Kabul on July 31 and killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri, Taliban Defense Minister Mullah Yaqoob declared publicly that U.S. drones were invading Afghanistan via Pakistan. Pakistan disputed the accusation.
