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IEA envoy tells Islamabad forum Afghanistan is not involved in attacks on Pakistan
Shakib discussed Afghanistan’s unique geographic position and the potential for regional projects, particularly in energy and water management, as well as the extraction of natural resources
Afghanistan’s Charge d’Affaires to Pakistan, Sardar Ahmad Shakib, has stated that Pakistan is like a second home to Afghans and that the current government has no involvement in the violent incidents taking place in Pakistan.
Speaking at a seminar at the Institute of Regional Studies in Islamabad (IRS), Shakib said: “We do not want instability in Pakistan. Some individuals may cross the border, but the caretaker government of Afghanistan has no role in these violent incidents.”
The seminar was titled “Strengthening Economic Ties between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia”.
Shakib said that insecurity in Pakistan negatively impacts Afghanistan and the entire region, reaffirming that Afghanistan does not wish for conflict in its neighborhood but is committed to an economic-driven policy aimed at regional connectivity.
He also highlighted that economic and trade relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan should not be tied to security issues, as this would serve the mutual interests of both countries and the region.
Shakib discussed Afghanistan’s unique geographic position and the potential for regional projects, particularly in energy and water management, as well as the extraction of natural resources.
He underscored that Afghanistan, with its strategic location, can play a key role in connecting the region through shared initiatives, benefiting from its rich natural resources and efforts towards energy production and water management, which can foster stability across the region.
He also addressed economic ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan, expressing concern over recurring border closures, sudden tariff hikes, unnecessary inspections of transport trucks, issues with Pakistani visas, and other challenges that affect trade relations, impacting not only the governments but also people on both sides of the border.
“Afghanistan is an important trade partner for Pakistan in the region, particularly in terms of transit and exports. There are significant trade facilitation measures in place through the Chaman and Torkham crossing points, and these relations hold vital importance for both economies.
“However, the level of trade has continually faced difficulties due to some problems, though the Islamic Emirate always believes in a better future,” he said.
He said trade relations between the two countries continually face significant obstacles.
“Absence of modern trade agreements between the two countries, dumping policies, frequent closures of crossing points, limited customs facilities, sudden and unilateral increases in tariffs, unnecessary checking of loaded vehicles, and other issues have hindered trade flows,” he said.
He said the first step to improve relations would be to invest in trade infrastructure and to streamline customs processes.
In addition, he suggested the building of mutual trust and enhancing diplomatic dialogue was critical in terms of achieving long-term trade benefits.
The ministry of interior announced Wednesday that according to a new decree, issued by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate, weapon permits issued prior to the IEA’s takeover are no longer valid.
The ministry’s spokesman Abdul Matin Qane said permits for weapons can only be issued by the ministry’s directorate of detection and combating crimes.
Qane asked officials, Mujahideen, members of the public and employees of the Islamic Emirate to refrain from owning and carrying weapons without a permit.
According to the statement, blacked-out windows in cars are also prohibited, unless permits are in place.
Earlier this year, acting Minister of Interior Affairs, Sirajuddin Haqqani, made it clear that it is illegal to own or carry unlicensed weapons in the country.
Haqqani said this applies to individuals and companies.
“No one has the right to carry weapons without a permit, apart from the Emirate's organizations; if it is security companies, businessmen, the private sector, or any person who wants to carry weapons they must obtain permits," Haqqani said at the time.
Qatar's Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Alya Ahmed Saif Al Thani met with the UN’s Under-Secretary General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo this week for talks on various issues including another Doha meeting on Afghanistan.
According to a statement issued by Qatar’s foreign ministry on Wednesday, the two diplomats “touched on the need to leverage the positive momentum created by the success of the third Doha Meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan and to build on its outcome in the fourth meeting to be held in Doha.”
Qatar did not however indicate when the next meeting would be held.
Al Thani and DiCarlo meanwhile discussed the results of the third Doha meeting, which took place on June 30 and July 1 this year.
Their meeting also addressed ways to bolster joint cooperation between the Qatar and the UN’s Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, as well as the latest developments in the Middle East.
Experts, meanwhile, believe that the Doha meetings have not yet yielded positive results.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief spokesman for the Islamic Emirate government, led the Afghanistan government delegation to the last meeting.
This was the first time the IEA participated. They were not invited to the first meeting, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said they set unacceptable conditions for attending the second one in February.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board has finalized the squad for the upcoming Youth Tri-Nation Series against Pakistan and the UAE and for the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2024.
The Youth Tri-Nation Series, will be held from November 16 to 26 in the form of a double-round robin. The final match is scheduled for November 26 at the ICC Academy Cricket Ground in Dubai, UAE.
From there, the team will take part in the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup which is scheduled from November 29 to December 8. This will also be held in the UAE.
The Afghan team are pooled in Group B alongside Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
The squad announced Wednesday includes Naseer Khan Maroofkhil and AM Ghazanfar, both of whom represented Afghanistan in the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup 2024 in South Africa.
Afghanistan Cricket Board’s Interim Chief Selector, Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil said in a statement that the ACB’s “selection process started with a camp for the top-performing players from the recent age-level domestic events.
“This was followed by rigorous training and preparations in multiple phases, which helped us to finalize the final 18-man squad for the events ahead.”
He said the players have “undergone extensive training and shown great enthusiasm and readiness to perform at the international level,” and that the ACB is confident the team will do well in both the Tri-Series and the Asia Cup.
Afghanistan Squad for the Youth Tri-Nation Series and the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2024:
Mehboob Taskin (Captain & Wicket-Keeper), Hamza Alikhil (WK), Uzair Khan, Faisal Khan, Barakatullah Ibrahimzai, Ezatullah Barikzai, Aziz Miakhil, Nazeef Amiri, Abdul Aziz, Nasratullah Nooristani, Khatir Stanikzai, Fahim Khewawal, Hafeez Zadran, AM Ghazanfar and Naseer Khan Maroofkhil.
Reserves: Rohullah Arab, Wahidullah Zadran and Salam Khan.
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