Pakistan appoints ambassadors in Kabul: a step to approach!

Pakistan appoints ambassadors in Kabul: a step to approach!

Kabul, Afghanistan - On May 30, 2025, Pakistan appointed an ambassador in Kabul, which the country takes fourth to China, the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan, which took this step. This is the first ambassador to appoint Pakistan since Taliban's takeover in Kabul in 2021. The decision was made to improve the relationships between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which has been tense for some time. The Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq announced that the Chargé d’Affaires' level announced to the ambassador and expressed the hope that this step would promote economic cooperation, bilateral trade and joint efforts against terrorism.

dar’s announcement follows his visit to Kabul in April and a trilateral meeting in Beijing with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. During this meeting, which aimed to normalize diplomatic relationships after years of tensions, it was also agreed that Pakistan and Afghanistan will replace ambassadors. Wang Yi emphasized China's role in improving relationships between the two countries and prospect of an expansion of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan.

diplomatic tensions and security policy challenges

The relationships between Pakistan and Afghanistan are characterized by tensions, since Pakistan has repeatedly raised allegations, Afghanistan shooters of the Tehrik-I-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which are allied with the Afghan Taliban. This group has gained strength since the return of the Taliban, which led to an increase of 70 % of the attacks within Pakistan in 2024. However, it should be noted that both Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime are currently only diplomatically represented with Chargés d’Affaires in the capitals of the other.

The announcement of Pakistan fell at a time when tens of thousands of Afghan refugees return from Pakistan under uncertain conditions. Pakistan has exposed to a possible deportation of around three million Afghan citizens who are in Pakistan, according to a three-phase plan, which was presented by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. While Islamabad does not fail to emphasize the security situation at the border, the Taliban administration in Kabul has not reacted little to the appointment of the ambassador, which reflects the fragile diplomatic efforts.

economic interdependencies and geopolitical implications

The geopolitical situation in Afghanistan is strongly connected to Pakistan. Afghanistan's economy depends heavily on goods that have to be transported by Pakistan, which makes the country susceptible to disorders. A temporary closure of the Pakistan trade routes could have serious effects on the Afghan economy. In addition, Pakistan is crucial for humanitarian aid, which is often managed across its borders to Afghanistan. Sanctions or merchant blocks on the part of Pakistan could lead to an economic collapse and a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

Although international recognition of the Taliban regime fails to do so, the diplomatic interaction with Pakistan has granted the Taliban a fragile approach to the international community. This could prove to be advantageous to protect the Taliban from complete marginalization. Pakistan has not yet carried out a military intervention in Afghanistan, but reserves the right to make military printing opportunities to ensure that no Taliban fractions that endanger Pakistan's national security get power.

The Ambassador of Pakistan in Kabul is seen as a step towards a potential political recognition of the Taliban, while the geopolitical complexity of the region continues to develop and the relationships between the two nations must continue to be observed.

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