Islamabad: Senior PML-N leader Khurram Dastgir Khan has said that Afghanistan and Pakistan must respect each other’s sovereignty as a prerequisite for rapprochement and creating joint stakes for peaceful coexistence and living like friendly and cooperative neighbours.
Dastgir was speaking during Regional Economic Connectivity Dialogue on challenges and opportunities for cooperation in South and Central Asia organised here Tuesday by Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) as part of its multi-track diplomacy initiative Beyond Boundaries.
He stressed that since August 2021, when the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, terrorist violence has substantially surged in Pakistan for four consecutive years, with 2025 recorded as the deadliest and most violent year for Pakistan in a decade.
To seek an off-ramp to the ongoing conflict and in the interest of a conflict-proof relationship, he urged both sides to adopt a facilitation mindset over a regulation mindset for their bilateral and transit trade relations. noted that both countries have been taking each other for granted for too long despite their enormous potential for growing and prospering together through shared goals and cooperation for development, stability and connectivity.
He added that both sides should respect the sanctity of the frontier for economic, people-to-people, political and security connectivity and not adopt a paradigm where it is seen as a divider and a conduit of hostilities against each other.
Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Commerce Dr Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti advocated the continuation of trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan ignoring challenges in other areas as sustained economic engagement what he believed “can serve as a constructive lever” to improve the overall relationship.
He noted that trade should be viewed as a stabilising force and a shared stake that encourages cooperation rather than discord. He underscored that security and connectivity are critical for both countries which serve as vital economic corridors for each other.
Afghanistan provides Pakistan with access to Central Asia, while Pakistan offers Afghanistan a gateway to international markets and maritime routes. Ali Raza Hanjra, Project Director at the Federal Board of Revenue, proposed the establishment of a joint de-escalation mechanism to proactively manage tensions and prevent the escalation of disputes between the two sides.
