Commerce delegation concludes successful visit to Afghanistan, says envoy

Both sides agree to enhance transit trade and ties in mutually beneficial areas

Pakistan's diplomatic envoy to Afghanistan Ubaidur Rehman Nizamani said on Thursday that the delegation led by the country's secretary for commerce concluded a 'successful' visit to Kabul. 

The visit was part of Pakistan’s efforts to build strong ties with Afghanistan in transit trade and all other mutually beneficial areas.

Following the visit, both sides agreed to work together for mutual benefits in a number of areas, said the envoy.

The two parties will facilitate bilateral trade and will take all possible measures to create an environment for continuous and productive trade and economic relations.

Pakistan and Afghanistan discussed challenges facing the two countries and explored potential solutions besides exploring ways to enhance bilateral commercial, transit, and economic relations, the Afghan foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

The talks were held in Kabul between the interim Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Muttaqi and Pakistani Commerce Secretary Khurram Agha, who is visiting the neighbouring country along with a high-level delegation.

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“The purpose of this visit was to enhance commercial, transit, and economic relations between the two countries,” the statement said. Initially, it added, both sides extensively discussed the existing challenges between Pakistan and Afghanistan and explored potential solutions.

During the talks, Muttaqi emphasised the need for collaborative and sincere efforts in finding solutions to the existing challenges. Agha mentioned his ongoing discussions with relevant Afghan officials and assured that they would swiftly address all existing issues in their domains.

“Muttaqi extensively discussed the existing challenges between Pakistan and Afghanistan and explored potential solutions. Furthermore, the Foreign Affairs Minister expressed a mutual respect for the shared values and responsibilities of both governments to ensure their realisation,” the statement said.

“He [Agha] mentioned being engaged in discussions with officials from the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Afghanistan and assured that they would work diligently to swiftly address all existing issues in these domains,” it added.

“Towards the end of the meeting, both sides emphasised the importance of developing and strengthening commercial and transit relations,” it said, adding that discussion was also held on the facilitation measures for the cross-border movement of passengers, patients, and traders.