Afghan Consul General in Peshawar Mohibullah Shakir met the Chief Minister and discussed bilateral relations
Peshawar – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, while highlighting the importance of bilateral trade through the Pak-Afghan border, said that a provincial-level jirga has been formed for talks with the Afghan government.
According to a statement issued by the office of the Chief Minister’s Press Secretary, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur met Afghan Consul General in Peshawar, Hafiz Mohibullah Shakir.
Matters of mutual interest including promotion of mutual trade, regional peace and stability, resolution of problems faced by Afghan citizens living in the province and other issues were discussed in the meeting.
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and the Afghan Consul General also discussed the difficulties faced by traders and common people on both sides due to the closure of the Pak-Afghan border at Torkham.
During the meeting, it was also agreed to make efforts to open the border as soon as possible in view of the month of Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr.
Ali Amin Gandapur said on this occasion that due to the closure of the border, traders and transporters are facing difficulties during the month of Ramadan. The closure of the border is not in the interest of the people on both sides, due to this, business people as well as the common people are also facing difficulties.
He said that due to the difficulties faced by the people, there is a need to open the border as soon as possible. We are making efforts from our side to open the border. The Afghan embassy will also play a role in this regard.
The Chief Minister said that due to the ongoing unrest in the region, people on both sides have faced difficulties. Regional peace is in the interest of both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Negotiations and discussions are an effective means for lasting peace in the region.
He said that we have formed a jirga at the provincial level for negotiations with the Afghan government. The federal government is waiting for the approval of the jirga’s TORs.
Ali Amin Gandapur further said that as soon as the TORs are finalized, the jirga will be sent to Afghanistan.
He said that efforts are underway to establish a special desk at the border to facilitate those coming for trade, treatment and education and Afghan brothers and sisters with legal travel documents will be welcomed.
He said that discussions are underway with relevant international organizations to provide health cards and education cards to Afghans coming to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for treatment and education.
