Pakistan, Afghanistan discuss trade, security

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Afghanistan held the inaugural session of the Additional Secretary-Level Mechanism of Foreign Ministries to discuss key bilateral issues, including trade, transit cooperation, security, and regional connectivity.

The inaugural round of the Additional Secretary-Level Mechanism was a follow-up to decisions made during the visit of Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan to Kabul, Afghanistan, on April 19, 2025.

Pakistan side was led by Additional Secretary (Afghanistan & West Asia), Ambassador Syed Ali Asad Gillani, while the Afghan side was led by Director General, First Political Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor.

Discussions covered key areas of bilateral interest, including trade and transit cooperation, security, and connectivity.

Both sides recognized terrorism as a serious threat to regional peace and security. The Pakistani side emphasized the need for concrete actions against terrorist groups operating on Afghan soil, noting that such groups undermine Pakistan’s security and hinder regional development.

The two sides exchanged views on deepening trade and transit cooperation. They reviewed the implementation status of measures announced during the visit of Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan to Kabul for facilitating Afghan transit trade, including the removal of a 10% processing fee, provision of an insurance guarantee, reduction in scanning and examination, and operationalisation of the track and trace system.

They underlined the importance of enhanced regional connectivity as a catalyst for sustainable growth and shared prosperity. Noting the strategic significance of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway in that regard, they agreed to make concerted efforts towards the early finalisation of the Framework Agreement.

The two sides also discussed matters related to the repatriation of Afghan nationals. Pakistan side shared an overview of its efforts to facilitate documented travel from Afghanistan, notably through the issuance of over 500,000 visas since January 2024 to date across a range of categories such as medical, tourist, business, and study. Both sides agreed to work together to further strengthen the legal movement of individuals across borders.

Both sides reaffirmed their support for sustained engagement to address mutual challenges. They recognised lasting security as a cornerstone, for both the region’s optimal development as well as for further advancement of bilateral relations.