Pakistan's defense minister and spy chief traveled to Kabul on Wednesday to discuss various matters with the Taliban government. This visit comes after Pakistan blamed Afghanistan-based militants for recent deadly attacks on its soil.
The main border crossing between the two countries has been closed since Sunday, and both sides have accused each other of starting a gun battle the next morning.
Afghan officials reported that Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar held discussions with Defense Minister Khawaja Asif and Inter-Services Intelligence Director General Nadeem Anjum.
According to Baradar's office, the talks centered around "bilateral relations, trade, regional connectivity, and economic cooperation between the two countries".
The Foreign Ministry confirmed that security-related issues, including counter-terrorism measures, would also be discussed. Afghan Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs emphasized the importance of maintaining good relations between neighboring countries.
Baradar stated that it is essential to keep commercial and economic matters separate from political and security issues. He also requested that Pakistan release Afghan prisoners held in Pakistani jails. The deputy PM urged the facilitation of all passengers going to Torkham and Spin Boldak, with special provisions for the immediate transfer of patients.
While Pakistan has experienced a sharp rise in militant attacks, primarily in border regions, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has close ties with the Afghan Taliban, carried out two recent suicide bombings, one in Karachi and another in Peshawar.
The border crossing at Torkham, a vital transit point for people and goods, remained closed on Wednesday. Officials from both sides reported that Afghan authorities closed the border after Pakistan imposed new rules that required appropriate documentation for anyone accompanying medical patients.
During the weekend, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari spoke at the Munich Security Conference, insisting that Afghanistan must fulfill its commitment to not harbor militants. In response to his remarks, Kabul’s foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi dismissed the accusations as false.
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