Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ambassador Sadiq Khan, arrived in Kabul on Wednesday for a day-long visit to attend the second round of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting.
This visit forms part of Islamabad’s renewed efforts to resolve ongoing border issues with its western neighbour.
This meeting marks the first JCC session in nearly 16 months, signalling a tentative move towards resuming high-level diplomatic engagement in hopes of easing tensions and restoring normalcy in bilateral relations.
Representing the Afghan side is Mullah Abdul Qayum Zakir, the Deputy Minister of Defence, who is known for his hardline stance on Pakistan. Zakir, a former Guantanamo detainee, is viewed by many as one of the most formidable Taliban commanders since the demise of Mullah Dadullah.
His presence at the negotiating table has drawn considerable attention given the sensitive backdrop of the talks.
The discussions come at a delicate time when Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban of harbouring, supporting, and facilitating extremist outfits such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and various Baloch insurgent groups.
These groups have been blamed for a spate of deadly attacks within Pakistani territory, further souring relations between the two countries.
Adding to the strain is Pakistan’s recent decision to repatriate a large number of Afghan nationals, including those holding Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC), as part of its crackdown on undocumented migrants.
This move has been met with strong opposition from Kabul, which has consistently urged Islamabad to reconsider its stance. However, Pakistani authorities have so far declined to revisit the policy.
In a related development, the Afghan Consul General based in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, is expected to address the media later in the day. The aim is to advocate for a more flexible approach from Islamabad regarding the Afghan repatriation process.
Meanwhile, in a separate but parallel engagement, a high-level Afghan trade delegation is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad.
The group, led by Noor Uddin Azizi, Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, includes officials from various ministries such as Foreign Affairs, Finance, Refugee Affairs, Transport, and Civil Aviation, among others. The delegation also includes private sector representatives.
This visit is intended to explore opportunities for enhanced economic cooperation and coordination between the two countries. Talks with their Pakistani counterparts are expected to focus on strengthening commercial ties and boosting trade connectivity in the region.
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