Commerce Ministers meet in Islamabad to explore ways to boost bilateral trade and address challenges.
Key Takeaways:
i) Afghan and Pakistani Commerce Ministers met in Islamabad to discuss bilateral trade, transit, and related issues.
ii) Forced deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan was also discussed, raising concerns from various officials.
iii) Technical teams from both countries will hold further meetings to find solutions to existing trade challenges.
Islamabad, Pakistan – April 17, 2025 – In a recent report by Ariana News, a meeting between the Afghan and Pakistani commerce ministers in Islamabad focused on strengthening trade relations amidst a backdrop of concerns regarding the deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan. The article highlights discussions between Nooruddin Azizi, the Afghan Commerce Minister, and Jam Kamal Khan, his Pakistani counterpart.
According to Ariana News, subsequent meetings between technical teams from both sides are planned to delve deeper into specific solutions aimed at boosting trade volume.
The primary focus of the meeting was to explore avenues for enhancing bilateral trade and addressing transit issues between the two nations. Both ministers acknowledged the importance of resolving existing challenges to unlock the full potential of trade. According to Ariana News, subsequent meetings between technical teams from both sides are planned to delve deeper into specific solutions aimed at boosting trade volume.
The article also notes that the forced deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan was a point of contention. Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman criticized the deportations, calling them a violation of human rights. “The forced repatriation of refugees is against international norms and human dignity,” he stated. Concerns were also voiced by a Norwegian diplomat, and the Afghan consul general in Peshawar affirmed Kabul’s readiness to provide care for returning refugees.
Pakistan’s perspective on the refugee situation emphasizes the economic strain of hosting a large refugee population. While the article doesn’t explicitly detail Pakistan’s economic rationale, it’s understood that managing resources and maintaining economic stability are key considerations.
