BEIJING: Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to strengthen diplomatic ties, expand trade and connectivity, and enhance security cooperation.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, in Beijing, a Foreign Ministry statement said on Wednesday.
The two sides recalled the Deputy Prime Minister’s recent visit to Kabul and welcomed positive momentum in bilateral ties, including enhanced diplomatic engagement, trade, and transit facilitation.
“They agreed to work together to advance mutual interests, including in the domains of trade, transit, connectivity, and security,” the statement said.
It is pertinent to mention that Ishaq Dar’s visit to China was his first after the successful Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, launched in response to India’s attack.
Before meeting Muttaqi, Dar held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, discussing bilateral ties and the South Asia regional situation. He thanked China for supporting Pakistan’s sovereignty and assured continued backing for China’s core interests.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met with Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi @FMMuttaqi, in Beijing today.
The two recalled DPM/FM’s recent visit to Kabul and welcomed positive momentum in bilateral ties,… pic.twitter.com/bUBi9j32YI
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 21, 2025
Both countries showed satisfaction over CPEC Phase-II and discussed extending it to Afghanistan.
Ishaq Dar visits Kabul
Earlier this month, Ishaq Dar paid a day-long visit to Kabul to address Islamabad’s concerns over cross-border militancy and followed the latest round of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Coordination Committee meeting held in Kabul.
Dar later told a press conference that Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed not to permit the use of their respective territories for acts that undermine each other’s security.
“Both countries will strictly deal with such elements. If someone does [carry out such activities], then we both will be responsible for taking action against them,” he said after meeting several senior Afghan officials.
Ishaq Dar said Pakistan’s security concerns had been clearly conveyed to the Afghan side, adding that Pakistan’s concerns on security issues were heard by the Afghan side and they assured their full cooperation.
Pak-Afghan trade
On trade and connectivity, Dar announced that a transit track and trace system would become operational by June 30, which would enhance the flow of Afghan transit goods.
He said an agreement had also been reached on insurance-related matters, and that both countries had agreed to facilitate trade delegations and exhibitions to boost bilateral economic activity.
Ishaq Dar said that for smooth Afghan transit trade, it was agreed that A plus category insurance guarantees will be accepted by Pakistani authorities for Afghan transit goods.
He said cross cross-stuffing facility will be provided to 500 containers per month initially from June 30th this year as a pilot project to help lower the cost of transit trade for Kabul.
The Foreign Minister also announced that the Integrated Transit Trade Management System (ITTMS) in Torkham will be operationalised by 30th June this year.
Refugees and property rights
Answering a question about the repatriation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, Ishaq Dar said Pakistan is ensuring that the process takes place with full dignity and honour without disrespect to any individual.
Dar said four key decisions had been taken: their dignified return; a mechanism to address mistreatment complaints; clarification that no directive has been issued in Pakistan barring Afghans from buying property; and the assurance that Afghan refugees could take their belongings with them.
