ISLAMABAD: The 12-member Afghan Taliban delegation on Thursday agreed that the resumption of peace process with the United States was the only way to end the conflict in Afghanistan following its meetings with senior Pakistani officials in Islamabad, said the foreign office of Pakistan.
Diplomatic sources confirmed to Arab News that representatives of Afghan insurgent group also met Prime Minister Imran Khan during the day.
Pakistan has been playing the role of a facilitator, trying to catalyze the Afghan peace process, since last year.
Led by the Taliban co-founder, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the delegation is expected to meet US special envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, this week who arrived in Islamabad ahead of the Taliban Political Commission’s visit.
During a weekly news briefing, the foreign office spokesman, Dr. Mohammad Faisal, said the talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban were “highly sensitive and delicate” and the process needed to be “handled in a careful manner.”
He declined to divulge further details of the delegation’s agenda and its scheduled meetings in the country.
The US and Taliban were on the verge of signing an agreement last month, but the process collapsed after the insurgent group killed an American soldier in Afghanistan.
In an exclusive telephonic interview, Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen told Arab News on Thursday: “It is the US side that retracted, and they should come to the agreement and sign the agreement. It is the only peaceful solution to the Afghan issue.”
Shaheen said that all regional countries “should support the Afghan people in the liberation” of their country and “ending the occupation” of their land.
“Based on our policy we would want to have good relations with our neighboring countries, for the stability of Afghanistan. We would want their role in the construction of Afghanistan,” the Taliban spokesman said.
Resumption of talks with US vital for Afghan peace, say Taliban
Resumption of talks with US vital for Afghan peace, say Taliban
- Diplomatic sources confirm representatives of Afghan insurgent group also met Prime Minister Khan
- Taliban spokesman urges all regional countries to “support the Afghan people in the liberation” of their country
Pakistan, Japan discuss boosting trade, investment and cooperation in key sectors
- The Pakistani side highlighted various opportunities in sectors minerals and mining, agricultural and agri-food products, and IT sectors
- The development comes as Pakistan steps up economic diplomacy to expand trade, investment ties after emerging from a financial crisis
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Japan have held talks on improving bilateral trade and investment and expanding cooperation in key sectors, Pakistan’s Press Information Department said on Saturday.
Both countries held the 8th Pakistan–Japan Government–Business Joint Dialogue and the Pakistan Business Forum in Tokyo on Friday, marking the first convening of the dialogue in the Japanese capital since Dec. 2018.
The dialogue was co-chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s aide on commerce Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan and Takuo Komori, Japan’s parliamentary vice-minister of economy, trade and industry, according to the PID.
The two sides exchanged views on strengthening bilateral economic relations, with a focus on improving the trade and investment environment and advancing practical cooperation.
“The Pakistani side outlined Pakistan’s economic priorities and highlighted opportunities for collaboration in sectors such as minerals and mining, agricultural and agri-food products, and information technology,” the PID said in a statement.
“The Japanese side shared perspectives on the operating environment for Japanese companies in Pakistan and discussed areas where continued engagement and follow-up could further facilitate business activity.”
Pakistan steps up economic diplomacy to expand trade ties and attract foreign capital after emerging from a prolonged financial crisis that nearly pushed it into default in mid-2023. Islamabad has since set up the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a civil-military body designed to cut red tape and provide a one-window operation for businesses, as it navigates a long path to economic recovery under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.
Pakistan and Japan established diplomatic and economic relations in 1952. Since then, Japan has been a major development partner, financing infrastructure such as roads, power plants and water systems, while extending technical assistance and yen loans.
The Pakistan–Japan Government–Business Joint Dialogue brought together senior officials and private-sector representatives from both countries, including members of the Pakistan–Japan Business Forum (PJBF) and the Japan–Pakistan Business Co-operation Committee (JPBCC).
Participants reaffirmed the importance of sustained government-to-government engagement, supported by close coordination with the private sector, to advance mutually beneficial economic cooperation between Pakistan and Japan, according to the statement.
Following the Joint Dialogue, the Pakistan Business Forum, co-organized by the Embassy of Pakistan in Tokyo and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), was held in Tokyo that was attended by Japanese and Pakistani business leaders.
The Forum featured selected sectoral presentations highlighting practical cooperation between Japanese and Pakistani partners. It included a presentation by the Trade and Investment Counsellor of the Embassy of Pakistan in Tokyo on “From Trade to Investment: Building Japan–Pakistan Joint Value Chains.”
“The Forum concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Abdul Hameed, Ambassador of Pakistan to Japan, who highlighted the importance of sustained engagement, trust-building, and long-term partnership in advancing Pakistan–Japan economic cooperation,” the PID added.
