|
The
visit comes at a time of heightened security concerns in areas
bordering Afghanistan after the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) said on
Monday it would no longer abide by a months-long ceasefire with
the Pakistani government. The Afghan Taliban have been
facilitating peace talks between local militants and Pakistan
authorities since late last year.
Minister of State Hina Rabbani Khar met with acting Afghan
foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. It was not clear whether
security was discussed at the meeting.
"A range of bilateral issues of common interest including
cooperation in education, health, trade and investment, regional
connectivity, people-to-people contacts and socioeconomic
projects were discussed," Pakistan's foreign office said in a
statement.
A statement from Afghanistan's foreign ministry said Muttaqi had
also brought up accelerating trade and transit and facilities
for travellers between the two countries as well as the release
of Afghan prisoners in Pakistan.
Pakistan this month reopened a major Afghan border crossing that
was shut for trade and transit after security forces from the
two sides had clashed.
Some on social media highlighted the fact that a woman was
heading Pakistan's delegation at a time when the United Nations
and Western officials have called on the Taliban to change
course on women's rights.
Other high-profile visits include Chinese Foreign Minister Wang
Yi and former Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmoud Qureshi,
though the Taliban have met female diplomats and UN officials
since taking power last year.
The Taliban in March made a U-Turn on signals they would open
high schools nationwide for girls and have recently announced
women would not be able to access public parks.
The Taliban say they respect women's rights in line with their
vision of Islam and Afghan culture.
Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021, clashes
have taken place between their security forces and those of
Pakistan, and militants have attacked Pakistani forces.
Pakistan has called on the Taliban to ensure they live up to
promises that they will not harbour international militants. The
Taliban deny harbouring militants.
No country has recognised the Taliban, who took over Afghanistan
with a speed and ease that took the world by surprise, following
which President Ashraf Ghani fled the country and his government
collapsed.
(Reporting by Charlotte Greenfield and Mohammad Yunus Yawar;
Editing by Nick Macfie)
[© 2022 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2022 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|
|
