Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar’s visit to Kabul has led to a major breakthrough in trade relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, though key security concerns remain unresolved. Dar’s talks with Afghan officials focused on easing diplomatic tensions, improving trade, addressing refugee repatriation, and managing cross-border militancy.
Pakistan agreed to remove 10% taxes on 867 Afghan transit goods, reduce the 2% transit tax to 1%, and replace bank guarantees with insurance guarantees to ease trade procedures. Other incentives included port handling concessions, container exchange privileges, and duty exemptions—measures welcomed by Afghan commerce authorities.
The two nations also agreed to finalize the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Agreement (APTA) by June 30 and set up political and trade committees for ongoing dialogue. On refugee issues, Islamabad assured that Afghans would be allowed to retain or sell their properties and take valuables with them during repatriation.
While progress was made on the economic front, Afghan sources noted that trust deficits and security cooperation still require long-term commitments and concrete action from both sides.
