Afghanistan to Appoint Ambassador to Islamabad Following Pakistan’s Upgrade of Diplomatic Ties

Following Pakistan’s recent decision to strengthen its diplomatic presence in Afghanistan, the Afghan government has announced a reciprocal move to elevate its diplomatic representation in Islamabad to a full ambassadorial level, according to the Afghan Foreign Ministry.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan conveyed its approval of Pakistan’s decision to enhance its diplomatic mission in Kabul to an ambassadorial level via a statement on X.

The ministry further stated that, in response, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan would also upgrade its mission in Islamabad from the current chargé d’affaires to a full-fledged ambassador.

The Afghan Foreign Ministry emphasized that this upgrade in diplomatic representation between Afghanistan and Pakistan will facilitate stronger bilateral cooperation across various sectors.

While both Pakistan and Afghanistan maintain embassies in each other’s capitals, these missions were previously headed by charge d’affaires instead of ambassadors.

Notably, China was the first nation to accept an ambassador from the Taliban-led administration in Kabul, despite not formally recognizing the government. Subsequently, several other countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), followed suit.

These announcements from Pakistan and Afghanistan come shortly after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted discussions between representatives from Islamabad and the Afghan Taliban administration, during which both countries affirmed their intent to strengthen their diplomatic ties.

Following discussions with Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, and Pakistan’s FM Dar, Wang Yi noted that the neighboring countries had agreed in principle to mutually dispatch ambassadors at the earliest opportunity.

The two countries share a roughly 2,500-kilometer border with numerous crossing points that are vital for regional commerce and interpersonal connections.

Pakistan remains concerned about terrorism and has urged Afghanistan to ensure its territory is not used by groups such as the TTP to launch attacks within Pakistan.

Previously, Saeedullah Saeed, a commander within the Afghan Taliban, cautioned Fitna al-Khwarij terrorists against engaging in combat with Pakistani forces or carrying out attacks under the guise of Jihad.

In related developments, Islamabad and Beijing have also agreed to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan, underscoring their dedication to boosting regional connectivity and economic collaboration.

Tensions between the countries appeared to decrease following a recent meeting between Muttaqi and Dar in Kabul, where the acting foreign minister of the Taliban voiced concerns regarding the deportation of a significant number of Afghan nationals from Pakistan.

During their discussions, both parties agreed to maintain open communication in a constructive and positive environment to tackle shared issues, encompassing security, commerce, transit cooperation, and broader bilateral relations.