Kabul to reciprocate Islamabad ties upgrade

Says to elevate its envoy to ambassador

Afghanistan has welcomed Pakistan's decision to upgrade diplomatic engagement with Kabul, saying that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) – the name the interim Taliban government uses for itself – will also reciprocate the move, according to the TOLOnews television.

The IEA's Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed Islamabad's recent decision to elevate its diplomatic relations in Kabul from chargé d'affaires to ambassador.

"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will also reciprocally upgrade the level of its chargé d'affaires in Islamabad to ambassador," said Zia Ahmad Takal, head of public relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul.

"Elevating the level of diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan will pave the way for expanding cooperation between the two countries across many sectors," he added in a statement also published on the official "X" account of the ministry.

The statement came a day after Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who held a second meeting with China's foreign minister within a span of 10 days in Hong Kong, announced the upgrading of diplomatic ties with Kabul.

"Pakistan-Afghanistan relations are on a positive trajectory after my very productive visit to Kabul with the Pakistan delegation on 19th April 2025," Dar said in a statement on Friday.

"To maintain this momentum, I am pleased to announce the decision of the Government of Pakistan to upgrade the level of its chargé d'affaires in Kabul to the level of ambassador," he added.

"I am confident this step would further contribute towards enhanced engagement, deepen Pak-Afghan cooperation in economic, security, CT & trade areas and promote further exchanges between two fraternal countries," he further stated.

Afghan political analyst Sayed Moqaddam Amin welcomed Pakistan's decision as "another positive move."

"I hope this step, considering the vital interests of both parties and by fostering good relations and friendship, will provide a solution to existing challenges and deepen the political and diplomatic relations between Kabul and Islamabad," Amin was quoted as saying by TOLOnews.