ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday met with the leadership of Afghanistan’s interim government wherein he announced assistance of Rs5 billion besides announcing multiple measures to ease border movement and trade.
The foreign minister, in his first visit to Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover, met with interim Prime Minister Mullah Hassan Akhund, Deputy PM Abdullah Hanfi, and other cabinet members to discuss the issues relating to trade, visa, flights and people’s movement.
After his day-long visit, the foreign minister told media that he also interacted with his counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi, Finance Minister Mullah Hidayatullah, Defence Minister Yaqub Mujahid, and other interim cabinet members.
The foreign minister was accompanied by a high-level delegation including secretary commerce, senior security officials, Chairman PIA, FBR’s member customs, Foreign Secretary, and Pakistan’s Special Representative Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq.
FM Qureshi said during the meeting with Afghan leadership, the bilateral issues were discussed to facilitate the Afghan people and trade to avert any humanitarian crisis in the war-torn country. The bilateral issues were discussed in the sub-working groups attended by the Pakistani officials and their Afghan counterparts.
Trade and movement
Qureshi said following the Afghan side’s objection, the condition of gate pass had been withdrawn, visa on arrival introduced for medical and emergency cases, requirement for COVID PCR test waived off and NADRA’s service charges of $8.18 also suspended till December 31 this year.
The foreign minister said that keeping in view trade the facilitation, Afghan businessmen would be given visas on arrival. Moreover, Pakistan’s Embassy in Kabul has also been empowered to issue a five-year multi-entry visa to businessmen to facilitate bilateral trade.
The foreign minister told the Afghan leadership that Pakistan had decided to allow duty-free import of Afghanistan’s fresh fruit and vegetables to support the economy and farmers. Similarly, he said the Afghan side had also expressed willingness to consider the reduction of duty for Pakistani exports.
For the pedestrian crossing, the timing for border crossing had been enhanced from eight to 12 hours and round the clock for trade trucks. Moreover, at the entry points, special lanes would be formed for the trucks carrying perishable goods.
Taliban won’t allow Afghan soil
Qureshi said the Afghan government had made it categorically clear that they would not allow misuse of Afghan soil by TTP, BLA and others against Pakistan. Regarding the increased attacks by TTP, he said the Afghan side was ready to cooperate with Pakistan and hoped for positive development in near future.
He said since could not hold pre-scheduled meetings with Hamid Karzai, Dr Abdullah Abdullah, and Gulbudin Hikmatyar but interacted with them telephonically and informed them about the discussions with the interim government.
He said the Afghan side was appreciative of Pakistan for hosting millions of refugees for years. He said though Pakistan desired their dignified return, such a demand was ingenuine particularly amidst the frozen assets of Afghanistan and prevailing humanitarian situation and upcoming winter conditions.
Qureshi said he reiterated Pakistan’s clear stance that the nation stood by Afghan people in that difficult time and would play its role to tackle the prevailing humanitarian and economic challenges.
Afghan delegation to visit soon
He told the media that an Afghan delegation would also visit Pakistan for a follow-up meeting to resolve pending issues. About the projects of regional connectivity, he said the Afghan side expressed their full support in this regard.
The foreign minister said he also apprised Taliban leadership of the expectations of the international community and suggested ways forward to earn their recognition.
About the announcement of Rs 5 billion assistance, he said Pakistan would donate pharmaceuticals or any other goods of Afghanistan’s choice. He said the Afghan government was desirous to enhance trade ties with Pakistan.
Regarding a question of recognition by Pakistan, he said Pakistan’s solo step would be of no use rather it required a collective approach. Qureshi said he had spelled out the expectations of the international community like inclusivity, women’s rights, girls’ education, and reduction of space for terror outfits.
He said like Pakistan too had reservations about ETIM, Daesh, and attacks on Shia mosques in Afghanistan which the Taliban government should understand. He also suggested enhancing counter-terrorism cooperation in this regard,
To a question, he said Pakistan had received an invitation from India to attend a moot of national security advisors on Afghanistan. He said considering the bilateral ties following the Indian unilateral actions in Occupied Kashmir, the government would make a decision at a suitable time.
