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ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan announced Friday that it is upgrading
its diplomatic representation in neighboring Afghanistan from
chargé d’affaires to ambassador, a move aimed at improving
bilateral relations between the two neighbors.
The announcement by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar comes a week
after he met with his Afghan counterpart, Amir Khan Muttaqi,
alongside China’s top diplomat during a trilateral meeting in
Beijing.
Hours later, Kabul welcomed the Pakistani decision, saying it
will also reciprocate by upgrading ties with Pakistan to
ambassador's level.
In a statement, Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, a Taliban Foreign
Ministry deputy spokesperson, said the elevation of the level of
diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan paves the
way for the expansion of cooperation between the two countries
in many areas.
Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban government have embassies in
each other’s capitals but were being led by chargés d’affaires.
Like the international community, Pakistan has not recognized
the Afghan Taliban government.
A chargés d’affaires serves as an embassy’s chief of mission in
the absence of the ambassador.
In a statement, Dar during the day said relations between
Pakistan and Afghanistan have taken a positive turn since his
visit to Kabul in April. “To maintain this momentum, I am
pleased to announce the decision of the Government of Pakistan
to upgrade the level of its chargé d’affaires in Kabul to the
level of ambassador,” he said.
Dar expressed hope that the decision would strengthen economic
cooperation, boost bilateral trade and enhance joint efforts to
combat terrorism.
Tensions between the two countries have long been strained over
Pakistan’s accusations that Kabul provides safe haven to
Pakistani Taliban, who are known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or
TTP and are allies of the Afghan Taliban.
TTP is a separate group and has been emboldened since the Afghan
Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
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