ISLAMABAD:
The long-awaited visit of Afghan Interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to Islamabad was postponed at the last minute due to what officials cited as a “technical issue”.
Muttaqi was scheduled to begin a crucial three-day trip to Islamabad from August 4, as part of renewed efforts by both sides to reset their troubled relationship.
Preparations had been finalised and all of the Afghan foreign minister’s engagements confirmed. However, before Islamabad and Kabul could formally announce the visit on Sunday, a “technical issue” forced a delay.
While officials did not elaborate on the nature of the issue, it is believed to be related to the UNSC-imposed travel ban on Taliban leaders. The two sides are expected to work together to sort out the technical hitch, with the visit likely to take place sooner rather than later.
Muttaqi’s visit had been long overdue, as both countries have been working to de-escalate tensions.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has travelled to Kabul twice since April in a renewed diplomatic push to resolve the issues bedevilling bilateral ties.
The high-level exchanges yielded some progress, particularly on concerns regarding the presence of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other anti-Pakistan groups. According to officials, the Taliban administration has taken certain steps, including discouraging Afghan nationals from joining the ranks of the TTP.
In another sign of improving ties, Pakistan and Afghanistan also agreed to upgrade their diplomatic relations to the level of ambassadorial appointments.
Sources confirmed that Muttaqi remains keen to visit Pakistan and will do so as soon as the issue is resolved.
This would mark his first visit to Islamabad since May 2023, when he attended a trilateral meeting involving the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Afghanistan and China.
According to sources, Beijing has also played a key role in bringing Islamabad and Kabul closer.
Pakistan had long been urging the Taliban-led government in Kabul to tackle threats posed by banned groups such as the TTP. While Kabul has publicly denied the presence of such groups, it has privately cited an inability to take action against them.
Nonetheless, Pakistan has succeeded in persuading the Afghan regime to take some concrete steps, including crackdowns on Afghan nationals involved with the TTP. The Afghan authorities have also taken action against those facilitating others to join the group.
The measures have helped ease tensions between the two neighbours.
Officials said Pakistan would continue to encourage the Taliban government to pursue similar actions. In return, Pakistan and China are prepared to support Kabul both economically and diplomatically.
