On the sidelines of the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to discuss the evolving bilateral relationship between their nations. As per Pakistan, the meeting marked another step in the ongoing efforts to mend ties strained by years of mistrust and security concerns, while also welcoming the extension of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan as a pivotal development for regional connectivity.

During the meeting, Ishaq Dar emphasized the “meaningful progress” achieved in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations since his visit to Kabul in April 2025. He highlighted advancements in trade, transit, and connectivity, which have been focal points for both nations as they seek to bolster economic cooperation. Amir Khan Muttaqi echoed this sentiment, describing the improvement in ties as a “very positive development” in a subsequent statement. Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to deepening political and economic collaboration, signaling a shared vision for a stable and prosperous region.

The extension of CPEC, a flagship project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), to Afghanistan was a key highlight of the discussions. First agreed upon during a trilateral meeting in Beijing in May 2025 involving Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Dar, and Muttaqi, this initiative aims to enhance regional connectivity by integrating Afghanistan into the $60 billion infrastructure and trade corridor linking China’s Xinjiang province to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port.

While the recent diplomatic engagements paint a picture of cautious optimism, Pakistan’s relationship with the Taliban-led Afghan government has been fraught with challenges since the group’s return to power in August 2021. The past few years have been marked by deep mistrust, security disputes, and economic tensions, which provide critical context for understanding the significance of the current thaw.

When the Taliban regained control of Kabul, Pakistan initially saw the development as a strategic advantage due to its historical ties with the group. Islamabad advocated for international engagement with the Taliban, hoping for a stable neighbor that could curb cross-border militancy and facilitate trade. However, these hopes were quickly dashed as relations deteriorated over Pakistan’s concerns about the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban. Islamabad accused the Taliban of harboring TTP fighters, who were blamed for a 70% surge in terrorist attacks inside Pakistan in 2024. Kabul consistently denied these allegations, leading to a breakdown in trust.

Tensions escalated further in 2023 and 2024 due to frequent border skirmishes and Pakistan’s decision to expel tens of thousands of Afghan refugees, many of whom had lived in Pakistan for decades. The forced repatriation, coupled with periodic border closures, disrupted bilateral trade and deepened Afghan resentment. A notable low point occurred in December 2024, when Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province reportedly killed 46 people, mostly women and children, prompting strong condemnation from the Taliban. Pakistan neither confirmed nor denied the strikes but maintained they were targeting militant safe havens.

Islamabad argued that Kabul’s inaction undermined regional security and hindered economic cooperation. Meanwhile, the Taliban expressed frustration over Pakistan’s refugee deportations and trade restrictions, viewing them as hostile actions. These disputes led to a near-total freeze in high-level diplomatic engagement, with the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan trilateral dialogue pausing in 2023.

The year 2025 has seen a concerted effort to reset relations, largely facilitated by China’s mediation. Ishaq Dar’s visit to Kabul on April 19, 2025, marked the first high-level Pakistani trip to Afghanistan since February 2023. The Beijing trilateral meeting in May 2025 further built on this momentum, resulting in agreements to extend CPEC to Afghanistan and upgrade diplomatic ties by exchanging ambassadors. Pakistan announced on May 30, 2025, that it would elevate its diplomatic representation in Kabul from Chargé d’Affaires to Ambassador, with Afghanistan reciprocating shortly after.