In diplomatic breakthrough, Islamabad upgrades Afghanistan mission
Islamabad has upgraded its diplomatic presence in Afghanistan by appointing an ambassador, marking a significant step towards mending ties with the Taliban-led Afghan administration
NEWS ANALYSIS
May 31, 2025
PAKISTAN has announced it is upgrading its diplomatic mission in Afghanistan from charge d’affaires to ambassador level, signalling a renewed effort to normalise relations after years of strained ties between the two neighbours.
The development follows an agreement between Islamabad and Kabul to exchange envoys — a notable move towards restoring formal diplomatic channels after years of fractious relations. Tensions between the two countries had previously escalated due to recurrent border skirmishes and Pakistan’s repeated calls for Kabul to act against the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad alleges has been operating from Afghan territory to launch attacks within Pakistan. The Taliban authorities have consistently denied these allegations.
The decision to elevate diplomatic representation was reached during a trilateral meeting held recently in Beijing, which was attended by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, had met Afghanistan’s interim Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, during the visit to the Chinese capital.
Sharing the update on X on Friday, Dar stated: “Pakistan-Afghanistan relations are on a positive trajectory after my very productive visit to Kabul with the Pakistan delegation on 19th April, 2025. To maintain this momentum, I am pleased to announce the decision of the Government of Pakistan to upgrade the level of its Chargé d’Affaires in Kabul to the level of Ambassador.”
He expressed optimism that this diplomatic upgrade would strengthen engagement, enhance bilateral cooperation in economic, security and counterterrorism spheres, and encourage greater exchanges between what he described as “two fraternal countries.”
While the international community has yet to formally recognise the Taliban government since its takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, a number of nations — including China, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia — continue to maintain ambassador-level representation in Kabul. Notably, China and the UAE also host Taliban-appointed ambassadors, while Russia has agreed to receive a Taliban envoy in Moscow.
Recent months have seen a resurgence in diplomatic activity between the neighbours. In March 2025, Pakistan’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, visited Kabul for the first time in over a year. This was followed by a high-profile visit from Ishaq Dar in April, during which both sides reaffirmed commitments to prevent the use of their territories by terrorist groups and agreed to strengthen trade facilitation.