Afghanistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amir Khan Muttaqi, has met with a delegation led by Joulan Vakhabov, head of Uzbekistan’s International Institute of Central Asia and adviser to the country’s deputy president.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to further strengthen political and economic cooperation, as well as key regional issues.

Muttaqi said Uzbekistan has adopted a positive and goodwill-based policy toward Afghanistan, expressing hope that bilateral relations and cooperation would continue to expand.

He also underscored the important role of research institutions in promoting mutual understanding, enhancing cooperation, and developing a realistic assessment of regional dynamics.

For his part, Vakhabov praised the progress and stability in Afghanistan and voiced optimism that trade between the two countries would increase further in the current year.

Pakistan will repatriate nearly 20,000 Afghan nationals currently awaiting resettlement in the United States, The Nation reported, citing official sources.

The move affects 19,973 Afghans living across Pakistan.

A federal directive will instruct provincial chief secretaries and police chiefs in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and the Islamabad Capital Territory to begin the repatriation process immediately.

Authorities will also share verified data of the affected individuals with relevant departments to support implementation.

Following the Islamic Emirate’s return to power in 2021, more than 100,000 Afghans fled to Pakistan, many of whom had worked with the US and UK governments, international organizations, or aid agencies.

Thousands have remained stranded in Pakistan for over four years while awaiting US resettlement clearance.

Prospects for relocation have dimmed amid a suspension of case processing by the US administration, according to The Nation.

Under Pakistan’s Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP), all Afghan nationals still awaiting US relocation will now be returned to Afghanistan.

Terrorist activities continue to be observed along Afghanistan borders and along the India–Pakistan–Afghanistan corridor, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview published on Monday.

Speaking to Russia-based media outlet TV BRICS, Lavrov pointed to ongoing concerns in the Middle East, including its Asian regions.

He highlighted the importance of collaboration with India at the United Nations to advance a global counter-terrorism convention.

Lavrov stated that while the draft convention has already been prepared, consensus on its adoption has not yet been reached.

Russia has repeatedly expressed concern about militant threats from Afghanistan. The Islamic Emirate, however, has dismissed the concerns saying that it will not allow Afghanistan’s soil to be used against any country.