ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have agreed to boost trade and ease border tensions amid an increase in militant attacks on security forces, officials said Monday.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi forged the deal in Islamabad on Sunday, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said. The pact seeks to boost bilateral trade, the fight against terrorism and relations between the two countries.
Local media reported that Muttaqi on Monday called on the Pakistani authorities to consider holding talks with the Pakistani Taliban, which is a separate group. There was no immediate response from Islamabad. But previous talks at the invitation of the Afghan Taliban in Kabul proved fruitless. Pakistan has since ruled out talks with the group, known as Tarik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP.
Previously, Bhutto Zardari and Muttaqi held meetings with Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang, marking a contrast to recent years when such talks were on hold, according to analysts who say China is expanding its influence in the region. China recently mediated the resumption of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
China is financing the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CECP), a massive initiative that includes building roads and power plants and increasing agricultural production.
The initiative is considered economically vital for Pakistan, which is currently suffering one of its worst economic crises at a time when negotiations with the International Monetary Fund are stalled.
The CECP, also known as the One Track Project, is part of the Belt and Road Initiative, a global endeavor that seeks to rebuild the ancient Silk Road in order to link China with all corners of Asia.
Qin arrived in Islamabad on Friday and met with President Arif Alvi, Minister Bhutto Zardari and Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir. At those meetings, he received assurances that Pakistan will increase protection for Chinese nationals working on infrastructure projects.
