Afghanistan’s interim commerce minister met with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani recently to discuss trade issues and the difficulties Afghan citizens ejected from Pakistan have in transferring their assets.
This discussion takes place against the backdrop of an increase in terrorist acts, which Pakistan attributes to the Taliban leadership, which, in turn, regards the expulsion of Afghan refugees as a local affair.
The purpose of the visit is to identify solutions for stranded products in Karachi port, to promote the smooth transfer of Afghan refugees’ property, and to discuss other issues.
Afg delegation led by Minister of Indu & Comm, Alhaji Nuruddin Azizi met with Pak FM, Mr. Jalil Abbas Jilani. Bilateral trade, especially the stranded goods of Afg traders in Karachi port, smooth transfer of Afg refugees's properties to Afg & related issues were discussed. pic.twitter.com/nuav6nLv8H
— Embassy of Afghanistan in Islamabad (@AfghanembassyI1) November 14, 2023
The meeting emphasizes the complexities of regional trade in the face of security and deportation concerns.
The Afghan delegation and Jilani issued a joint statement emphasizing the importance of collaborative effort against terrorism in order to realize the full potential of regional trade and connectivity.
FM @JalilJilani received Acting Commerce Minister of Afghanistan Nooruddin Azizi. He reaffirmed🇵🇰’s commitment to mutually beneficial ties with Afghanistan. FM said full potential for regional trade & connectivity can be harnessed with collective action against terrorism. pic.twitter.com/voqsEigJQI
— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) November 14, 2023
While concern arise regarding the limits on sending cash and property to Afghanistan as Pakistan continues to expel unauthorized immigrants.
This has consequences for individuals who have spent decades building businesses and residences in Pakistan.
The humanitarian situation is awful, with returnees living in overcrowded shelters near the border and experiencing harsh winter weather.
In a short while, the Taliban’s acting commerce minister is scheduled to attend a trilateral meeting with representatives from Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
While the particular agenda is unknown, the three countries are developing plans for trade transit and railway linkages between South and Central Asia, which would include Afghanistan in the regional economic panorama.
The conclusion of these conversations will most likely affect the future dynamics of regional commerce and cooperation.
