Afghan Chargé d’Affaires Mawlawi Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb on Tuesday said Afghanistan will not allow any terrorists groups to use its soil against Pakistan.
Addressing a seminar, “Strengthening Economic Ties between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia,” organized by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) in Islamabad, he said the neighboring nations were both facing security challenges and desired regional peace and security.
According to state-run APP, he said Pakistan had conveyed its concerns to Afghanistan, adding attempts were underway to persuade Islamabad “some non-state elements are behind infiltration inside Pakistan.” The interim Afghanistan government’s policy, he emphasized, was that it did not support any non-state elements.
On the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Shakeeb said the project had created many opportunities for the region that Afghanistan could also benefit from. Kabul’s involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative, he said, would enhance investments in its infrastructure and foster regional harmony. “We believe that trilateral cooperation among Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China can usher in a new era of regional collaboration,” he added.
Describing Pakistan as one of the leading trade partners of Afghanistan, he said Kabul was committed to the enhancement of trade and investment between the two countries. He acknowledged recent challenges in trade and economic relations between the neighbors, but stressed Afghanistan was trying to resolve all concerns. He regretted trade was hampered by Western sanctions, frequent closures of border crossings, limited customs facilitation, sudden and unilateral increases in tariffs, and frequent checking of loaded vehicles.
The diplomat said both countries needed to invest in trade infrastructure, streamline customs processes, strengthen trade facilities, develop transportation links, build mutual trust, and enhance diplomatic dialogues to achieve long-term trade benefits. He said sustained diplomatic engagement and joint efforts for peace and security would provide a sustainable foundation for regional economic cooperation. He also urged Islamabad to refrain from imposing economic restrictions and other policies that hinder regional economic cooperation.
Shakeeb said Afghanistan could serve as a bridge between South and Central Asia, adding the interim government had already started work on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline. Kazakhstan had expressed interest in joining the project, he added.