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ISLAMABAD: The anticipated visit of Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to Pakistan has been postponed, officials confirmed on Sunday.
Muttaqi was scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on Monday, August 4, leading a high-level delegation from Kabul for a three-day diplomatic engagement. This would have marked the first official visit by an Afghan foreign minister to Pakistan since November 2021.
During the visit, the Afghan delegation was expected to hold talks with Pakistani leadership on a range of key issues, including bilateral relations, regional security, cross-border trade, and ground connectivity between the two neighboring countries.
No official reason has been provided for the postponement. Diplomatic sources suggest that both sides remain in contact and are likely to reschedule the visit at a mutually convenient time.
The visit had been widely anticipated as an opportunity to reset the tone of diplomatic engagement amid rising tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Recent security incidents, including cross-border firing and the presence of militant groups in border areas, have strained ties and underscored the need for structured dialogue.
Additionally, economic cooperation remains a major focus. Both countries have expressed interest in enhancing transit trade, energy projects, and infrastructure development under regional connectivity initiatives such as CASA-1000 and the Trans-Afghan Railway.
A successful visit could have laid the groundwork for progress in these areas.
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