Afghan foreign minister to visit Pakistan amid warming ties

ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is expected to visit Islamabad soon, marking his first trip to Pakistan in two years and underscoring increased high-level exchanges between the neighbours.

A diplomatic source confirmed that dates for the three-day visit are being finalised. The trip will cover a broad range of bilateral issues.

Last month, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar visited Kabul—the first by a top Pakistani diplomat in three years—helping ease tensions.

The recent diplomatic warming follows Kabul’s steps against groups threatening Pakistan, including actions against Afghan nationals linked to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Senior Afghan Taliban commander Saeedullah Saeed recently condemned unauthorized militant operations, stating that jihad can only be declared by the Islamic Emirate’s Amir and forbidding attacks in Pakistan without explicit orders.

Pakistan and China have encouraged Kabul to maintain this stance, offering economic and diplomatic support in return.

Pakistan has also indicated readiness to upgrade diplomatic ties with Afghanistan by exchanging ambassadors, a significant development for the Afghan Taliban government.