Pakistan To Appoint Envoy To Kabul, Marking Diplomatic Shift Since Taliban Takeover

Last Updated:May 31, 2025, 07:40 IST

Currently, Pakistan and Afghanistan each have a charge d’affaires, a diplomatic representative ranked below ambassador, serving in the other country

Last week, China had hosted an informal meeting between Pakistani officials and the Afghan Taliban administration. (Image via X/@MIshaqDar50)

Pakistan on Friday announced that it will appoint an ambassador to Afghanistan for the first time since the Taliban took control of Kabul in 2021, marking an upgrade in diplomatic relations between the two neighbours.

Currently, Pakistan and Afghanistan each have a charge d’affaires, a diplomatic representative ranked below ambassador, serving in the other country. Pakistan has not yet named who will take up the new ambassadorial post.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, announced the decision following his visit to Kabul last month with a Pakistani delegation. In a post on social media platform X, Dar said the relationship between the two countries had improved since his visit.

“Pakistan-Afghanistan relations are on positive trajectory after my very productive visit to Kabul with Pakistan delegation on 19th April 2025. To maintain this momentum, I am pleased to announce the decision of the Government of Pakistan to upgrade the level of its Chargé d’Affaires in Kabul to the level of Ambassador," he wrote.

The Pakistani leader further added: “I am confident this step would further contribute towards enhanced engagement, deepen Pak-Afghan cooperation in economic, security, CT & trade areas and promote further exchanges between two fraternal countries."

Afghanistan’s foreign ministry and the Taliban’s charge d’affaires in Islamabad have yet to comment on the development.

‘Pakistan, China, Afghanistan stand together’

Last week, China had hosted an informal meeting between Pakistani officials and the Afghan Taliban administration. Following the talks, China said the two countries planned to upgrade their diplomatic ties.

Dar had also shared a photo of the meeting, which included Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, writing: “Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan stand together for regional peace, stability, and development."

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been strained since the Taliban came to power after the withdrawal of US-led NATO forces. Pakistan has accused militants based in Afghanistan of launching attacks inside its borders. Kabul denies this, saying militancy is Pakistan’s own issue to resolve.

No country has officially recognised the Taliban government, amid international concerns about women’s rights and other issues. Pakistan is now the fourth country, after China, the UAE, and Uzbekistan, to appoint an ambassador to Kabul. While none of these countries have formally recognised the Taliban regime, experts say sending an ambassador is a step towards diplomatic recognition.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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