- High-level delegation visits Afghanistan’s capital, days after closure of major border crossing between two countries.
Islamabad: A senior Pakistani delegation has visited Afghanistan’s capital for talks with Taliban officials, days after the closure of their busiest border crossing raised tensions between the two countries.
Pakistani Defence Minister Khwaja Asif was joined on Wednesday by other top officials – including Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum, the director general of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency, or ISI – in their meeting with Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Afghanistan acting deputy prime minister for economic affairs, in Kabul.
In a statement, Baradar’s office said the officials discussed economic cooperation, regional connectivity, trade and their countries’ relations.
Baradar said in the statement that political and security concerns should not affect business or economic matters.
“Pakistan and Afghanistan are neighbours and should get along well,” he said. “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan emphasizes the development of commercial and economic ties with Pakistan as they are in the interest of both countries.”
Four days earlier, Afghan authorities closed the Torkham border crossing, accusing Pakistan of not abiding by its commitments. Pakistan in recent weeks has tightened border controls due to security concerns.
Security forces deployed at the border exchanged fire on Monday, which wounded one Pakistani guard.
- News Agencies / Aljazeera