ISLAMABAD: The first session of the new additional secretary-level mechanism between Pakistan and Afghanistan was held in Islamabad on Monday, with Pakistan urging Afghanistan to take “concrete actions” against terrorist groups operating from its soil.
The mechanism was established following an agreement made during Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister’s visit to Kabul on April 19. The Pakistani delegation, led by Ambassador Syed Ali Asad Gillani, Additional Secretary for Afghanistan and West Asia, and the Afghan delegation, headed by Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor, Director General of the First Political Division at Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, engaged in discussions on various bilateral matters.
The talks covered key areas of mutual interest, such as trade, transit cooperation, security, and regional connectivity. Both sides acknowledged that terrorism poses a significant threat to regional peace and stability. The Pakistani side emphasized the urgent need for decisive action against terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan, underscoring that these groups undermine Pakistan’s security and hinder regional development.
While Afghanistan has taken some steps to address Pakistan’s concerns, Islamabad insists that more substantial actions are needed to neutralize the threat posed by these groups.
The meeting, which took place ahead of Afghan Interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s upcoming visit to Islamabad, also focused on enhancing trade and transit cooperation. The two sides reviewed progress on initiatives from the April visit, including the removal of a 10% processing fee, providing insurance guarantees, reducing scanning and examination requirements, and implementing a track-and-trace system for Afghan transit trade.
In addition, the delegations discussed the importance of regional connectivity, particularly the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway, and agreed to work toward finalizing its Framework Agreement as a step towards promoting sustainable growth and shared prosperity.
The repatriation of Afghan nationals was another key topic of discussion. Pakistan shared details of its efforts to facilitate documented travel from Afghanistan, highlighting the issuance of over 500,000 visas across various categories, including medical, tourism, business, and education, since January 2024. Both countries agreed to cooperate in strengthening legal cross-border movement.
