Pakistan and Afghanistan have expressed their consent for more cooperation in the field of counterterrorism. The countries’ foreign ministers held a meeting in Islamabad on 9 May, where discussions were held on aspects related to security, peace, connectivity, and trade between the two countries. The gathering followed a joint meeting between the leaders of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, stated that peace and stability in Afghanistan are “vital” for the region’s socioeconomic development, connectivity, and prosperity. The points of discussion also involved “the importance of removing impediments to trade in order to advance the goal of enhanced regional economic integration and connectivity”. The Afghan delegation participated in the fifth China-Pakistan-Afghanistan Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue and met with the foreign ministers of Pakistan and China in individual talks.
China has been advocates for peace, collaboration, and resolving regional crises. The visits of the Afghan delegation are of “utmost importance” for regional security, resolving the humanitarian crisis and stability, stated anthropology professor Jianfu Ma of North Minzu University of China. Ma predicted that the meeting between the countries would result in increased business development in the area and more significant cooperation related to counterterrorism. However, those collaborations could face difficulty if further terrorist attacks happen. Increasing economic ties could help as the country has been dealing with extremist groups due to poverty and unemployment.
The visit takes place while Pakistan has been dealing with terror attacks in areas bordering Afghanistan, particularly in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the southwestern province of Balochistan. Both Afghan and Chinese delegates expressed their desire for an expansion of investments, trades, and increases in transit. However, Andrew Korybko, a political analyst based in Moscow, states that it will not be easy to integrate Afghanistan into the region unless it addresses issues related to the political unrest and TTP support.