Pakistan on Thursday announced several incentives for Afghan citizens including a Rs. 5 billion humanitarian aid and several trade and travel concessions.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi announced these steps at a press conference after returning from Kabul. This was Qureshi’s first trip to Afghanistan since the Taliban took control of Kabul in August, following the fall of Ashraf Ghani’s government.
Speaking at a news conference in Islamabad, Qureshi said he has announced Rs 5 billion in humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan. This would allow the Taliban to get the material as per their own requirements and priorities.
FM Qureshi met caretaker Taliban Prime Minister
The Foreign Minister also met the caretaker Taliban Prime Minister Mullah Hassan Akhund. During the meeting, he discussed several issues prevailing in Afghanistan, including matters related to security, trade, travel, connectivity projects, humanitarian assistance, and international recognition for the Taliban government. After the delegation-level talks, working groups from Pakistan and Afghanistan held in-depth discussions on these issues.
Qureshi said that most of the issues discussed during the visit were finalized, while the others would be decided when the Afghan delegation would visit Islamabad. The Taliban delegation is expected to visit Pakistan in the next few days, according to Mr. Qureshi.
Travel and Transport incentives
Pakistan government announced several travel and transport incentives for Afghan citizens.
- Pakistan authorities would no longer require Afghans travelling to Pakistan via land borders to obtain ‘gate pass.’
- Pakistan government also abolished Covid-19 PCR test requirement.
- On arrival visa facility was announced for sick Afghans coming Pakistan treatment.
- Businessmen can also benefit from on arrival visa facility.
- Pakistan embassy in Kabul will have the authority to issue five-year multiple entry visas to Afghan businessmen.
- Service fee for visa processing has been abolished till December.
- Timings for pedestrian crossing at the Pak-Afghan border have been increased from 8 hours to 12 hours per day
- Key border crossings would remain open 24 hours for cargo movement.
Trade incentives
- Islamabad has allowed duty free import of fruits and vegetables from Afghanistan
- Afghan trucks would be allowed to carry goods up to Karachi port
- Pakistani truckers would be able to travel into Afghanistan with their cargoes
- Reduction in duties on items of bilateral trade was discussed.
Experts from the two sides would soon meet soon to identify more zero-rated products for import into Pakistan.
The foreign minister said these steps would not only help promote bilateral trade but will also cause ease for the Afghans.
Qureshi found Taliban leadership “very positive”
The foreign minister said he noticed a “positive change” in Kabul as the new Afghan leaders are more keen to resolve the irritants in the relationship.
“I found the Taliban leadership very positive, and they acknowledged and thanked Pakistan for the efforts and help it has extended to Afghan refugees who have been living here for the past four decades,” Qureshi said.
He said that steps being taken by Islamabad were meant to tell the Taliban regime that Pakistan stood by them in these difficult times.