Afghanistan, Pakistan agree on new mechanisms for bilateral ties

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan and Pakistan on Tuesday agreed to introduce new mechanisms for bilateral relations to review all common opportunities and problems through dialogue and to make progress.

Pakistan’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar arrived in Kabul today for wide-ranging talks with Taliban leadership focusing on security issues and economic cooperation.

Khar, who led a high-level delegation, is the first minister to travel to the Afghan capital since the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took over in April.

“Both sides have also agreed to take positive and productive steps for a solution to the problems,” Afghan deputy foreign affairs spokesperson Hafiz Zia Takal said in a statement posted through his Twitter account.

Takal added that Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi described relations between the two neighbouring countries as important for the people and the region.

Muttaqi raised the issues of the release of Afghan detainees in Pakistan, facilities for passengers in cross-border movement, and progress in trade and transit. “The Afghan side also showed readiness to make progress on the TAPI gas pipeline, railway lines, and other projects.”

He also explained the stance of the Afghan Taliban on “political relations, economic development, and security”.

The Pakistani side promised “good treatment” for Afghan refugees, solutions to the problems in cross-border movement, and issuance of visas. “Pakistani side also said they will take steps to further facilitate transit.”

The statement quoted Khar as saying that Pakistan and Afghanistan were Muslim neighbours and had cultural similarities, and both governments should cooperate with each other to secure bilateral interests.

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