Islamabad (TDI): A high-level meeting was convened between an inter-ministerial Afghan delegation, headed by the Minister of Industry and Commerce Noruddin Azizi, and the Pakistani delegation led by Jam Kamal Khan, Minister of Commerce.
This meeting takes place as Pakistan’s Special Representative on Afghanistan, Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq, is in Kabul for the meeting of Joint Coordination Committee (JCC).
These back to back engagements are an evidence that normalization has once again started, after a tense period spanning months.
دیدار سرپرست وزیر صنعت و تجارت ا.ا. افغانستان با وزیر صنعت و تجارت پاکستان
محترم الحاج نورالدین عزیزی، سرپرست وزارت صنعت و تجارت امارت اسلامی افغانستان با هیئت همراه شان در نشست دوجانبه با محترم جام کمال خان، وزیر صنعت و تجارت جمهوری اسلامی پاکستان و هیئت همراه ایشان4/1 pic.twitter.com/72PD7NivUX— Ministry of Industry & Commerce AFG (@MoICAfghanistan) April 17, 2025
In the meeting, the two sides engaged in comprehensive discussions on bilateral trade, transit cooperation, prevailing challenges, potential solutions, and other pertinent matters of mutual interest.
Separate meetings of technical teams are also expected to be held, to find agreed-upon solutions to existing challenges in trade and transit.
It is unfortunate that trade and economic activity between Pakistan and Afghanistan come to a halt every time a border fight erupts.
Both countries are keen to establish such mechanisms that guarantee year round non-stop trade activity.
Before departing for Kabul, Special Representative Sadiq, briefed the Senate Committee on the resumption of relations and also told that high-level meetings are planned for the coming days.
Pakistan’s delegation to the JCC held a constructive and forward-looking meeting with Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, H.E. Amir Khan Muttaqi, in Kabul today. A wide range of bilateral and regional issues were discussed, reflecting our commitment to stronger cooperation and mutual… pic.twitter.com/u0MiCHqpuh
— Mohammad Sadiq (@AmbassadorSadiq) April 16, 2025
Talking about the JCC meeting and the prospects it has opened, Ambassador Sadiq said, “After a 15-month pause, the 7th meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) convened in Kabul — a vital platform for addressing sensitive and strategic issues.”
“Regular and sustained engagement through such mechanisms is essential to ease tensions, dispel doubts, and strengthen mutual understanding in bilateral ties,” he added, in a post on X.
Read More: Pakistan, Afghanistan JCC Talks Resume After Long Gap
The Deputy Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, Sheikh Kalimullah Fani, is also part of the Afghan delegation that is visiting Pakistan.
In meeting with Jam Kamal Khan, the Deputy Minister made a statement rearding the current situation of Afghan refugees and the issue of repatriation.
On one hand, he acknowledged Pakistan’s generosity and on the other, he made a request that the repatriation process must be carried out in phases and with dignity.
Nuzhat Rana is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
