Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to visit Kabul on April 19 and Dhaka on April 22 in what are being regarded as significant diplomatic engagements aimed at revitalizing Pakistan’s bilateral relations with Afghanistan and Bangladesh, sources revealed on Thursday.
Dar’s upcoming trip to Kabul will mark the first visit by a Pakistani foreign minister to Afghanistan in three years. The last such visit took place in October 2021, shortly after the Taliban assumed power in Kabul.
This development signals a possible easing of tensions between the two neighboring countries, which have experienced strained ties largely due to Kabul’s lack of cooperation in addressing Islamabad’s security-related concerns.
Earlier this week, a Pakistani delegation led by Special Envoy on Afghanistan Muhammad Sadiq Khan visited Kabul to attend a key meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC)—the first such gathering in 15 months. This meeting reportedly led to a breakthrough in diplomatic efforts.
According to sources, the Afghan Taliban administration has, for the first time, expressed a genuine willingness to engage with Pakistan on concerns related to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). This apparent shift in approach encouraged Islamabad to move forward with a high-level visit.
Ambassador Sadiq confirmed the improving diplomatic climate in a post on X (formerly Twitter), noting that “high-level bilateral engagements with Afghanistan have resumed after a long hiatus.”
He further stated that Pakistan, in coordination with Afghanistan, aims to reactivate multiple trilateral and multilateral frameworks such as the Immediate Neighbours+Russia Format, the Pakistan-China Trilateral, Pakistan-Uzbekistan Trilateral, and Pakistan-Iran Trilateral mechanisms.
In this context, Sadiq held a virtual meeting with China’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, to explore the revival of the Pakistan-China-Afghanistan trilateral platform and follow up on past commitments. The proposal is expected to be discussed with Afghan authorities soon.
On April 22, Foreign Minister Dar will travel to Dhaka, marking the first such visit to Bangladesh by a Pakistani foreign minister since 2012. The trip underscores improving diplomatic ties between the two countries.
In preparation for this visit, Pakistan and Bangladesh resumed political consultations on Thursday after a 15-year gap. The sixth round of Foreign Secretary Level Consultations took place in Dhaka, reaffirming both nations’ intent to move forward in strengthening relations.
