Shakib: We Seek Good Relations with Neighbors
Sardar Ahmad Shakib, the Islamic Emirate’s Chargé d’Affaires in Islamabad, stated in a meeting at the Institute of Regional Studies in Islamabad that the Islamic Emirate does not permit any group to use Afghan soil against Pakistan.
During the session, titled “Strengthening Economic ties between Pakistan, Afghanistan & Central Asia” Shakib stressed that insecurity in Pakistan affects Afghanistan and other regional countries.
The Islamic Emirate’s Chargé d’Affaires in Islamabad said: “The Islamic Emirate and the Afghan people do not wish to interfere in the internal affairs of any country and have no intention to do so; rather, we desire stability in the country and region and wish for good relations with all neighbors.”
The diplomat from the Islamic Emirate added that trilateral cooperation among Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China connects regional countries and strengthens regional trade.
The Islamic Emirate’s Chargé d’Affaires in Islamabad pointed out that the lack of modern trade agreements between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the frequent closures of border crossings, customs restrictions, and sudden unilateral tariff increases are major obstacles to improving trade and economic relations between the two countries.
Sardar Ahmad Shakib added: “Our request is for Pakistan and Afghanistan to jointly establish a modern trade agreement and focus more on issues that would develop trade and transit, and improve trade relations between Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia.”
Some political analysts believe that enhancing and strengthening Afghanistan’s political and economic relations, especially with Pakistan, is essential in addressing current issues.
“The Islamic Emirate should demonstrate to neighbors that it does not interfere in the internal affairs of any neighboring country and that it always seeks good relations with its neighbors,” Saleem Paigir, a political analyst, told .
“Afghanistan must have good, friendly relations with neighboring countries and, secondly, with the regional countries. Afghanistan’s geography is an economic corridor, which Pakistan can effectively use for trade with Central Asia,” said Fazl Rahman Orya, a political analyst.
Border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan and the recurring closure of the Torkham crossing for various reasons are cited as factors that have consistently overshadowed the relations between the two countries.
