Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq Khan, said he held a 90-minute meeting with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s foreign minister, to discuss the impact of terrorism on cross-border trade and ways to strengthen regional cooperation.
In a post on X, Sadiq said the meeting took place on the sidelines of the 7th Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan in Russia. The talks focused on advancing bilateral cooperation in economic development, trade, transit, and regional security.
Sadiq said both sides reaffirmed the importance of enhancing regional connectivity and agreed to explore “practical measures” to facilitate trade and transit — including streamlined customs procedures and improved infrastructure links. He added that the two delegations emphasized the need to unlock the potential of regional trade corridors to boost economic stability and development.
According to Sadiq, the discussions also covered the presence of terrorist groups in the region and their effects on cross-border commerce. “The two sides underscored the need for sustained dialogue and collaboration to address shared security concerns, ensure the safety of transport routes, and combat illicit activities,” he said.
The meeting comes as tensions between Islamabad and the Taliban have escalated over Pakistan’s claims that the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) continues to use Afghan territory to stage attacks. The Taliban have denied the allegations, accusing Pakistan of conducting cross-border shelling and violating Afghan sovereignty.
The Moscow Format, launched by Russia in 2017, brings together Afghanistan’s neighbors and regional powers — including China, India, Iran, and Pakistan — to discuss political, economic, and security issues related to Afghanistan. This year’s meeting marked the first time that the Taliban attended as a formal participant.
