Despite ongoing tensions, Pakistan and Afghanistan announced significant progress in their trade discussions on Thursday. The talks, spanning two days in Kabul, were led by Pakistan’s Commerce Secretary and Afghanistan’s Commerce Minister.
Amid persistent security concerns over cross-border terrorism, both countries labelled the dialogue a success.
The Afghan interim government released a statement highlighting consensus on multiple fronts, while Pakistan’s contribution remained less detailed.
During this period, bilateral and transit trade issues were the focus, covering areas such as Preferential Trade Agreements and implementing a Temporary Admission Document for trade vehicle drivers.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, in a briefing, underscored the commitment to enhancing trade and interpersonal connections with Afghanistan.
The Afghan statement also detailed agreements on separating trade matters from political concerns and finalizing an Afghan Transit Trade agreement within two months. It noted Pakistan’s reversal of visa requirements for Afghan truck drivers and the withdrawal of bank guarantee demands for Afghan traders at Pakistani ports.
Following a terrorist attack on March 26, which resulted in the deaths of five Chinese nationals, Pakistan affirmed its dedication to combating terrorism and maintaining strong ties with China, vowing justice against the perpetrators.
The possibility of re-engaging in trade with India was discussed, with the spokesperson highlighting ongoing assessments of the relationship, which has been strained since 2019 due to political tensions over Jammu and Kashmir.
