- CPEC has created a lot of opportunities for the region and hence for the diplomats.
- Kabul’s involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative will bring regional countries closer together, he said.
- Mr. Shekib spoke at a seminar at the Institute of Regional Studies.
ISLAMABAD: In response to Islamabad’s complaint to Kabul on security issues, Afghanistan’s Chargé d’Affaires Malawi Sardar Ahmad Shakib said on Tuesday that Afghanistan will not allow terrorist groups against Pakistan to use its soil. Ta.
He was speaking at a seminar titled “Strengthening Economic Relations between Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia” organized by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS).
Pakistan has seen a sharp increase in attacks by insurgents since the Taliban returned to power in neighboring Afghanistan in 2021, mostly in the northwestern border province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but also in the south, bordering Afghanistan and Iran. It has also occurred in the western province of Balochistan.
Islamabad has accused Kabul’s interim ruler of failing to eradicate militants sheltering in Afghan territory who are preparing to attack Pakistan.
“Both Pakistan and Afghanistan face security challenges and peace, security and stability in the region is our aspiration,” the Afghan diplomat said.
Regarding Pakistan’s security concerns related to Afghanistan, Shakib said Kabul was trying to convince Islamabad that “some non-state elements are behind the infiltration into Pakistan.”
Mr. Shakib stressed that Afghanistan’s policy is clear that it does not support non-state elements.
Regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Shakib said the project will bring many opportunities to the region and could also benefit Afghanistan.
He also said that Afghanistan’s involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative will not only strengthen investment in infrastructure but also bring regional countries closer together.
“We believe that trilateral cooperation between Afghanistan, Pakistan and China will usher in a new era of regional cooperation.”
He termed Pakistan as one of Afghanistan’s major trading partners and expressed the Afghan Interim Administration’s commitment to enhancing trade and investment between the two countries.
He acknowledged the recent challenges in trade and economic relations between the two countries, but felt that Afghanistan is working to revitalize economic ties.
In addition to security-related issues, the Taliban diplomat cited Western sanctions, frequent closures of checkpoints, limited customs facilitation, sudden unilateral tariff increases, and other major obstacles to trade flows. He emphasized frequent inspections of loaded vehicles.
He said the two countries need to invest in trade infrastructure, streamline customs procedures, strengthen trade facilities, develop transport links, build mutual trust and strengthen diplomatic dialogue to achieve long-term trade benefits. Emphasized gender.
He called for stronger cooperation in economic policy and expansion of transport and transit projects between Pakistan and Afghanistan, while calling for sustained diplomatic engagement and peace and peace between regional countries to provide a sustainable basis for regional economic cooperation. He emphasized the desirability of joint efforts for safety.
Mr. Shakib also stressed the need to refrain from imposing economic restrictions and other policies that hinder regional economic cooperation.
The Charge d’Affaires of Afghanistan emphasized the importance of Afghanistan as a bridge between South Asia and Central Asia.
He shared that the Afghan Interim Administration has already started construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (Tapi) gas pipeline, adding that Kazakhstan has expressed interest in participating in this project.
Mr. Shakib further shared that Afghanistan is working towards implementing projects such as the Trans-Afghan Railway, CASA-1000 and other regional initiatives.
Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, Director of IRS, spoke on the occasion and emphasized the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan for regional trade and economic prosperity.
He felt that without Afghanistan’s unstable security situation and the inability to prevent the flow of terrorism, it would be impossible to build regional economic cooperation that would bring prosperity to the people of the entire neighborhood.
