IEA acting FM arrives in Islamabad for talks

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan [IEA]-appointed acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, began a three-day visit to Pakistan’s capital on Wednesday (November 10) to discuss trade and other ties as the IEA administration seeks global recognition and unfreezing of financial assets to prevent an economic crisis, Reuters reported.

According to a statement from Pakistan’s foreign ministry, the Afghan foreign minister was there to discuss “Pakistan-Afghanistan relations with a particular focus…on enhanced trade, facilitation of transit trade, cross-border movement, land and aviation links, people-to-people contacts, and regional connectivity.”

Though Pakistan has not formally recognised the IEA administration after they took over the country in August, it has longstanding ties with the group, though Islamabad denies allegations from the international community of offering them safe haven during 20 years of war.

The visit comes as the IEA seeks global recognition and countries including Pakistan call on international governments to allow development assistance to flow into the country and unfreeze billions of central bank assets to prevent economic collapse.