Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is set to visit Kabul on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the invitation of Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. This one-day trip aims to address the full spectrum of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, with a focus on enhancing cooperation in areas such as security and trade. Dar will meet with the Afghan Acting Prime Minister, the Acting Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, and hold delegation-level talks with the Acting Foreign Minister.
The visit follows a recent meeting of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Coordination Committee in Kabul and comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries. Issues include the deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, border skirmishes, and concerns over militant activities originating from Afghan territory. Pakistan asserts that certain armed groups operate from within Afghanistan, a claim Afghan officials deny, stating their commitment to preventing the use of Afghan soil against any country.
Additionally, Pakistan has deported over 84,000 Afghan nationals since the end of March 2025, as part of a repatriation initiative ahead of the April 30 deadline. This includes individuals without legal documentation and holders of Afghan Citizen Cards. The Pakistani government has emphasized that only Afghans with valid visas will be permitted to remain in the country beyond the deadline.