Nyingchi, 6 October 2023 (TDI): The Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi, along with the Afghan delegation met with the caretaker Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Jalil Abbas Jilani, on October 5, to negotiate over the deportation of Afghan immigrants from Pakistan.
The meeting took place at the sideline of the 3rd meeting of the Trans-Himalayan Forum in Nyingchi city, China.
The two sides during the meeting talked about bilateral relations and bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Besides that, both parties held in-depth discussions about the problems of Afghan businessmen and Afghan immigrants in Pakistan.
The Foreign Minister of Afghanistan at the meeting notified that the negative media statements, hindering transit and travel, and mishandling of Afghan refugees adversely affect the bilateral relations and the economic corporation of both countries.
He added such decisions and measures should be taken with deep consideration.
The Pakistani side on its part emphasized resolving the controversial issues through collaborative dialogue and understanding.
The Foreign Minister of Pakistan also reaffirmed to further strengthen the bilateral ties with Afghanistan.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of recent diplomatic tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan due to the deadline issued by the Pakistani government for illegal Afghan refugees to leave the country by the end of October.
Also read: Afghan Minister of Refugees meets UNHCR Head to Afghanistan
Pakistan has now set November 1, as the deadline for all undocumented migrants, mainly Afghans, to voluntarily leave the country with a warning of arrests and deportations after that date.
Latest UN figures show some 1.3 million Afghans are registered refugees in Pakistan, while another 880,000 have legal status to stay in the country.
According to Pakistan’s caretaker Interior Minister, Sarfraz Bugti, over 1.7 million Afghan refugees are not registered with the government.
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