Afghan Charge d’Affaires in Pakistan Mawlawi Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb stated that while certain elements may infiltrate into Pakistan, it was not part of the interim government’s policy.
At a seminar titled ‘Stabilising Economic Relations between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia,’ organised by the Institute of Regional Studies in Islamabad, Shakeeb acknowledged the existing channels of communication between Pakistan and Afghanistan but noted that there was no high-level dialogue taking place.
He mentioned that while Pakistan may have some complaints, the Afghan government was uncertain about how to assure Pakistan regarding peace and security.
While denying allegations that Afghan territory was used against Pakistan, Shakeeb asserted: “These claims are completely false. Afghanistan does not allow its land to be used against anyone.”
He acknowledged that while infiltration does occur, it was not a policy of Afghanistan and emphasized that controlling such border crossings “is not a new issue.” He added: “Even if there were a desire to manage this situation, it would remain impossible.”
Shakeeb claimed that no Afghan engages in terrorism upon entering Pakistan, emphasising that Afghanistan “does not permit any Afghan to participate in jihad in neighbouring countries, with formal fatwas already issued on this matter.”
The Afghan charge d’affaires highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance trade and investment with Pakistan, noting that there were several challenges and obstacles hindering economic and trade relations.
He pointed out that mutual trade relations were being maintained through border corridors, but issues such as repeated closures of such corridors, unnecessary vehicle searches, and customs-related challenges persist.
Shakeeb stressed the importance of diplomatic negotiations for establishing long-term trade relations, adding that Afghanistan can serve as a “vital corridor” from Central Asia to South Asia.
“Afghanistan respects the new border regulations under the Pakistan-Afghanistan One Document regime,” he said and acknowledged that such regulations “sometimes create difficulties for residents on both sides of the border, who prefer simpler policies reminiscent of those from 70 years ago.”
Shakeeb expressed concern that Pakistan “often mixes trade and transit issues with political matters,” which complicates the situation. He suggested that if various issues were kept separate, many of such problems could be resolved.
He also expressed hope that border trade crossings, including Chaman and Spin Boldak, would strengthen mutual relations between the two countries.
