Afghanistan anticipates enhancing relations with Pakistan
Published on: March 1, 2024.
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Afghan Official Expects Improved Relations with Pakistan After Elections
In a recent press conference, a senior official from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Abdul Ghani Muttaqi, expressed optimism regarding the future relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Muttaqi emphasized that the incumbent Afghan Government is actively seeking good relations with all countries, particularly its neighboring nations.
Muttaqi highlighted the significance of the upcoming elections in Pakistan and the formation of a new government. He stated, “We expect that after the elections in Pakistan and the creation of a new government, as some senior officials have commented positively, the situation will improve.” The senior official stressed the importance of prioritizing the welfare and security of the people in both countries, given their shared economic challenges. He also mentioned the existing cooperation between the two nations across various sectors.
Regarding the recent deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, Muttaqi dismissed it as a political pressure tactic. He argued that the presence of Afghan refugees in Pakistan does not pose a threat to the country and questioned why they had not been considered a security threat before. Muttaqi stated, “If these refugees were a security threat, they have been there for 40 years, why weren’t they a threat before? Now there are millions of people there, why were they not a threat until now? These reasons cannot be justified.”
It is worth noting that Pakistan has set a deadline for the remaining Afghan refugees to leave the country, resulting in the forced deportation of nearly half a million individuals.
This press conference sheds light on the aspirations of the Afghan Government to foster improved relations with Pakistan in the future. The upcoming elections in Pakistan hold the potential for positive changes and increased cooperation between the two nations. Both countries share a common goal of ensuring the welfare and security of their people.
Source: [Plenglish](https://www.plenglish.com)
