Afghanistan and Pakistan hold first round of political consultations in Islamabad

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) and Pakistan held the first round of their newly established Political Consultative Mechanism in Islamabad, aiming to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance regional cooperation.

The Afghan delegation was led by Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor, Director General of the First Political Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Pakistani side was headed by Syed Ali Asad Gillani, Additional Secretary for Afghanistan and West Asia at Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry.

Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that during the meeting, both sides discussed a range of key issues, including political relations, trade and transit cooperation, and regional connectivity. The delegations also exchanged views on broader regional and international developments.

Special attention was given to the challenges faced by Afghan refugees and detainees in Pakistan. Both parties stressed the importance of facilitating visa issuance for Afghan patients and businesspeople, and agreed on the need to ease restrictions and improve services.

The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to continue constructive engagement to resolve existing challenges. They also emphasized enhanced security cooperation as vital for regional development and for strengthening bilateral ties.