Islamabad:
The long -awaited visit by the Afghan temporary Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to Islamabad was postponed at the last minute because of what officials cited as a “technical question”.
Muttaqi was scheduled to begin a crucial three-day trip to Islamabad from August 4, as part of renewed efforts from both sides to reset their troubled conditions.
Preparations had been completed and all the Afghan Foreign Minister’s engagements confirmed. Before Islamabad and Kabul formally announce the visit on Sunday, a “technical problem” forced a delay.
While officials did not elaborate on the nature of the question, it is believed to be related to the USC-imposed travel ban on the Taliban leaders. The two sides are expected to work together to sort the technical problem where the visit is likely to take place before rather than later.
Muttaqi’s visit had been long too late as both countries have worked to reduce tension.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has traveled to Kabul twice since April in a renewed diplomatic push to solve the problems that are rating bilateral ties.
The high-level exchange gave some progress, especially on concerns about the presence of the forbidden Tehreek-E-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other anti-Pakistan groups. According to officials, the Taliban administration has taken certain steps, including deterrent Afghan citizens from joining the ranks of TTP.
In another sign of improving ties, Pakistan and Afghanistan also agreed to upgrade their diplomatic relations to the level of ambassador agreements.
Sources confirmed that Muttaqi remains eager to visit Pakistan and will do so as soon as the problem is resolved.
This would mark his first visit to Islamabad since May 2023, when he attended a trilateral meeting involving the Foreign Ministers in Pakistan, Afghanistan and China.
According to sources, Beijing has also played a key role in bringing Islamabad and Kabul closer.
Pakistan had long called for the Taliban-led government in Kabul to tackle threats that were made up of banned groups such as TTP. While Kabul has publicly denied the presence of such groups, it has privately cited an inability to intervene against them.
Nevertheless, Pakistan has succeeded in persuading the Afghan regime to take some concrete steps, including crashes on Afghan citizens involved in TTP. The Afghan authorities have also taken steps towards those who facilitate others to participate in the group.
The measures have helped to facilitate tension between the two neighbors.
Officials said Pakistan would continue to encourage the Taliban government to pursue similar actions. In contrast, Pakistan and China are prepared to support Kabul both financially and diplomatically.
