Kabul/Islamabad: In a rare diplomatic engagement, the Taliban’s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, conveyed “deep concern and sadness” to Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar regarding Islamabad’s ongoing repatriation of Afghan nationals. The high-level meeting in Kabul on Saturday marked a notable step in efforts to de-escalate tensions between the two neighboring countries, which have experienced deteriorating relations and occasional border clashes.
According to a statement from the Taliban administration, Muttaqi urged Pakistani officials to uphold the rights of Afghans residing in or arriving in Pakistan and to halt the forced deportations. He also emphasized the need for measures to allow returning Afghans to repatriate the proceeds of any property held in Pakistan.
Since the end of March, Pakistan has deported over 80,000 Afghan nationals, a senior official confirmed on Friday. This action is part of a broader repatriation campaign launched in 2023 that has drawn criticism from human rights organizations and strained relations between Kabul and Islamabad.
The talks also included discussions on expanding bilateral trade and cooperation. Pakistan’s foreign office noted that Minister Dar underscored the critical need to resolve security and border management issues to unlock the region’s full potential for economic integration and connectivity.
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Tensions between the two countries have been exacerbated by mutual accusations. Pakistan claims that Afghanistan continues to provide safe haven to Islamist militants responsible for attacks on its soil—an allegation the Taliban denies. Last year, Pakistan carried out airstrikes on Afghan territory in response to escalating security threats, and a major border crossing remained shut for nearly a month earlier this year amid cross-border military clashes.
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Despite these frictions, Saturday’s meeting—Pakistan’s first high-level visit to Afghanistan since 2022—could signal the start of a renewed diplomatic effort to improve bilateral ties and foster stability in the region.
