In a significant diplomatic development, Afghanistan has named a new ambassador to Pakistan, while Pakistan has upgraded its top envoy in Kabul, Obaidur Rehman Nizamani, from chargé d’affaires to ambassador — marking the first formal appointment since the Taliban’s 2021 takeover of Kabul.
Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is expected to visit Islamabad soon, reflecting a warming in bilateral ties. Though Afghanistan has yet to officially announce the ambassador’s name, sources suggest Maulvi Sardar Ahmad Shakib, currently the Taliban’s senior representative in Pakistan, is likely to be elevated.
Read more: Pakistan, Afghanistan Reaffirm Cooperation During Dar’s One-Day Kabul Visit
These announcements come in the wake of a trilateral meeting in Beijing involving the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China to boost regional collaboration. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed the ambassadorial upgrade on social media, calling it a step toward stronger diplomatic engagement.
Muttaqi’s upcoming three-day visit to Pakistan, invited officially by Islamabad, is expected to address multiple bilateral matters. Experts see this renewed diplomatic exchange as vital to repairing strained relations between the two nations, affected by years of border tensions, refugee issues, and security challenges.
Analysts like Syed Abdullah Sadiq stress the need for political dialogue given shared religious and cultural ties, while Khalil Nadeem highlights Pakistan’s strategic necessity to foster closer relations with Afghanistan amid Kabul’s growing links with India, Central Asia, and the Arab world.
