Pakistan did reach out to Kabul in an ostensible reset of its fracturing ties with its erstwhile proteges, the Afghan Taliban. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar visited Afghanistan on Saturday April 19, 2025, in a first high-level exchange with the Emirate since assuming office.

He met Acting Afghan PM Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund, Deputy PM Mullah Abdul Salam Hanafi, FM Amir Khan Muttaqi, etc. The focus of the delegation level talks was continuation of diplomacy to iron out differences, trade and economic relations, regional economic integration, repatriation of the Afghan Refugees (ARs), cross-border security and TTP-engendered terrorism etc.

First, diplomacy and trade. Wows were exchanged to enhance bilateral ties, P2P and B2B contacts, and ensure continued engagement at all levels. Wide-ranging discussions covered CASA-1000 MW electricity project, TAPI and TAP, and trans-regional connectivity projects like Central Asia-Pakistan railway connectivity via Kohat and Parachinar, besides trade facilitation and tariff reduction.

Dar successfully pursued diplomacy, especially economic diplomacy, greatly melting the ice. In offering concessions, Pakistan agreed to eliminate tariffs on Afghan transit goods for around 16 additional categories. It removed 10% taxes on 867 types of products and transit goods.

The 2% Container Cross Stuffing (CSS) tax imposed by KP Government on Afghan containers is slashed to 1%. 'Bank guarantees' from Afghan traders are to be replaced with 'insurance guarantees' to ease financial burden and enhance trade.

Demurrage on Afghan goods at the Karachi port is to be limited; concessions would be given to........

© The Express Tribune