Istanbul, June 22, 2025 — CPEC Extension: In a significant display of diplomatic engagement during the 51st Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with Afghanistan’s Interim Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi. This marked their third interaction in as many months, underscoring a deepening bilateral relationship. The talks primarily focused on enhancing regional connectivity, especially by extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan, move both sides hailed as transformative for the region’s economic integration.
Advancing Regional Connectivity through CPEC
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar expressed strong support for Afghanistan’s inclusion in the CPEC framework, calling it a transformational step toward greater regional infrastructure development. He recalled his April 2025 visit to Kabul, during which both sides had already made notable strides in boosting trade, transit, and cross-border cooperation. Dar reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to fostering regional collaboration and shared economic prosperity, citing CPEC and the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway line as key initiatives.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the momentum. Deputy Spokesman Hafiz Zia Takkal highlighted the growing frequency of diplomatic exchanges and emphasized their role in strengthening practical cooperation. He further noted that both sides explored future regional transit projects that could benefit not only Afghanistan and Pakistan but the wider Central and South Asian regions as well.
Building Trilateral Engagements
The foreign ministers also reviewed the outcomes of the recent trilateral meeting in Beijing involving Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan. They reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing trilateral cooperation and agreed to build on this progress in the next round of the trilateral foreign ministers’ dialogue, set to take place in Kabul. This upcoming meeting is expected to further solidify their shared goals of strategic connectivity and economic interdependence.
Addressing Security and Counterterrorism
Despite focusing on economic cooperation, Foreign Minister Dar also raised serious security concerns. During his address to the OIC Council, he voiced alarm over the continued presence of militant groups such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and ISIL-K operating from Afghan soil. He accused foreign hostile intelligence agencies of backing cross-border attacks and called for a reformed and balanced UN sanctions regime that targets all terrorist actors without discrimination.
Moreover, Dar reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and recognized the sacrifices the nation has made in its decades-long battle against terrorism. Simultaneously, he acknowledged Afghanistan’s central role in achieving regional peace. He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for unfreezing Afghan assets, expanding humanitarian aid, and ensuring continuous engagement with the interim Afghan government.
A Strategic Path Forward
CPEC Extension: As regional dynamics continue to evolve, the planned extension of CPEC into Afghanistan emerges as a strategic linchpin for future cooperation. It not only symbolizes a new chapter in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations but also reinforces CPEC’s standing as a vital catalyst for regional development and political stability. With growing diplomatic momentum and mutual economic interests, both nations appear poised to unlock new opportunities for shared growth and regional harmony.
