Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to Visit Kabul for Bilateral Talks

Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to visit Kabul today, according to a statement released by the Foreign Office (FO) on Friday. The one-day trip aims to bolster collaboration between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

This development follows a meeting held earlier this week in Kabul by the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Coordination Committee.

FO spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stated that DPM Dar will be accompanied by a high-level delegation during the visit, which is at the invitation of Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

During his stay, the DPM is slated to meet with Afghan Acting Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund, Acting Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, and hold discussions with Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

“The discussions will encompass the complete spectrum of the Pakistan-Afghanistan relationship, with an emphasis on exploring avenues to enhance cooperation across various sectors of shared interest, including security, commerce, connectivity, and interpersonal relations,” the spokesperson added.

According to the spokesperson, DPM Dar’s visit underscores Pakistan’s dedication to fostering sustained engagement with Kabul.

The trip is anticipated to reduce strain between the two nations amid increasing instances of cross-border incursions and acts of terrorism since the Taliban assumed control in Kabul and Islamabad’s ongoing campaign targeting undocumented foreigners and Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders.

Since the beginning of April, approximately 60,000 Afghans have repatriated, according to the International Organization for Migration on Tuesday, after Islamabad intensified its initiative to deport migrants back to Afghanistan.

Last month, Pakistan established an early April deadline for approximately 800,000 Afghans holding Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) issued by Pakistani authorities to depart the country, marking the second phase of actions intended to remove Afghans.

“Between April 1 and 13, IOM documented a significant surge in the returns, with approximately 60,000 individuals crossing back into Afghanistan through the Torkham and Spin Boldak border crossings,” the UN agency noted.

Earlier today, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry dismissed the possibility of any further extensions for Afghan citizens and undocumented immigrants to remain in Pakistan without valid documentation.

During a press conference in Islamabad, he stated that the repatriation process for Afghan citizens and undocumented immigrants is ongoing as part of the second phase of the one-document regime.

The minister further mentioned that all essential support, including accommodation, medical care, and security measures, are being extended to Afghan nationals at transit points, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is collaborating with the Afghan government to ensure the secure repatriation of their citizens.