H.E Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs of the IEA, met this afternoon with Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, who arrived in Kabul at the head of a high-level delegation for an official visit.
The meeting, attended by Haji Nooruddin Azizi, Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, along with Deputy Ministers from the Ministries of Interior, Finance, Refugees and Returnees, Economy, Transport, and Mines and Petroleum, focused on strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in economic, trade, and transit cooperation, as well as addressing the forced expulsion of Afghan migrants from Pakistan.
H.E Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, in his welcoming speech, expressed his hope that the visit of the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan and his delegation would strengthen ties between the two nations and lead to the constructive resolution of important issues.
He emphasized the historical and friendly ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan, urging both nations to work toward mutual progress.
He hoped that continued meetings and exchanges would resolve issues through dialogue and understanding.
In response, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan, remarked that Afghanistan and Pakistan are brotherly countries with common religious and cultural ties, and that their cooperation in areas such as trade and transit is advancing.
He outlined Pakistan’s proposals and requests on economic, trade, and transit issues, expressing Pakistan’s commitment to implementing the agreements between the two nations.
He also assured that Pakistan would facilitate the growth of trade and transit relations, including issuing visas for Afghan traders.
H.E Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, addressing the mistreatment of Afghan migrants, stated that such actions negatively affect the perceptions of both nations’ people and stressed the importance of Pakistani authorities paying special attention to this issue.
Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, emphasized that Pakistan is committed to facilitating the dignified return of Afghan migrants.
He confirmed that within 48 hours, a system would be put in place for migrants to contact special phone lines to address their concerns, with legal measures taken against those in violation.
He emphasized that Pakistan does not tolerate mistreatment of Afghan migrants and assured that within 48 hours, a mechanism would be established to resolve issues related to Afghan property and the transfer of personal belongings to Afghanistan.
H.E Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, highlighting Afghanistan’s stable security, expressed full support for expanding trade relations, connecting Pakistan to Central Asia, and advancing joint projects vital for the economic growth and well-being of both nations.
He stressed that discussions, especially on the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and other bilateral projects, must move beyond paper and be practically implemented.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Pakistani delegation participated in a formal reception hosted by H.E Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.