News Desk: ISLAMABAD — September 13, 2025 – In a move signaling a renewed effort to foster regional cooperation, Chief Minister of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Ali Amin Gandapur, paid an official visit to the Embassy of Afghanistan in Islamabad on Friday. The visit came in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake in Afghanistan and served as both a humanitarian gesture and a diplomatic overture.

Accompanied by Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Advisor on Information to the provincial government, and Faisal Amin Gandapur, Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan, the Chief Minister offered prayers and condolences for the victims of the recent disaster in Afghanistan. He was received by Afghan Ambassador Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb, according to a statement from the embassy.

Strategic Dialogue Amid Regional Shifts

During their meeting, both sides held in-depth discussions on a broad set of issues, including:

• Strengthening Afghanistan–Pakistan bilateral relations

• Improving people-to-people exchanges and cross-border mobility

• Enhancing trade and economic cooperation

• Addressing challenges faced by returning Afghan nationals

Ambassador Shakeeb welcomed the show of solidarity and emphasized the importance of mutual respect and practical cooperation in advancing the shared interests of both nations. He also urged the provincial government to provide greater support for Afghan refugees, students, patients, and travelers, particularly at key border crossings.

Emphasis on Trade and Stability

Both delegations agreed that expanding bilateral trade and economic integration could play a transformative role in promoting employment, income generation, and long-term regional stability. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province — which shares a long and porous border with eastern Afghanistan — has long served as a crucial hub for cross-border trade and refugee transit.

Friday’s visit marked a rare moment of subnational diplomacy, with a provincial leader taking the initiative to engage directly with a foreign mission. Analysts suggest such gestures could serve as confidence-building measures at a time when bilateral relations remain complicated by border security concerns, refugee issues, and broader regional geopolitics.

The visit also comes amid ongoing international scrutiny over the treatment of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, where hundreds of thousands remain in temporary or uncertain status following waves of displacement over the past two decades.

Context

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is home to a significant Afghan diaspora, including long-settled refugees, recent arrivals, and cross-border traders. The province has played a pivotal role in Pakistan–Afghanistan relations, often bearing the brunt of both humanitarian crises and insurgent spillovers from across the border.

The earthquake in Afghanistan, which struck earlier this month, has killed hundreds and displaced thousands — prompting a wave of international sympathy and renewed attention to the humanitarian situation.

Conclusion

While largely symbolic, Chief Minister Gandapur’s visit signals a potential thawing of localized relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan — at least at the provincial level. As both countries grapple with domestic challenges and international pressures, such initiatives may lay the groundwork for practical cooperation in humanitarian response, refugee management, and economic revitalization.