Key points:
* Pakistan’s recurring request was that the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had orchestrated the [Bannu] attack from Afghanistan and that it should be halted. We responded by noting that attacks typically occur in other parts of Pakistan as well, but this does not imply that armed groups are based in Afghanistan.
* The policy of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan strictly prohibits anyone from engaging in hostile activities. Should anyone be found engaging in such actions, we will take appropriate measures against them. We have assured all neighboring countries of our commitment to this policy.
* The TTP issue has persisted in Pakistan even before the Islamic Emirate assumed control in Afghanistan; they have been conducting attacks prior to and continue to do so now. The primary and significant portion of this group is based in Pakistan. It should be noted that some individuals may be hidden in Afghanistan, but this does not indicate that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan or its people support them. This has never been the case. If anyone presents sufficient evidence to the Afghan government on this matter, we are ready to take action against the involved elements. I want to reiterate that we never permit such elements to operate against neighboring countries.
* Statements naturally do not contribute to improving relations. The stance of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is that, rather than issuing statements, there should be a greater emphasis on dialogue to foster mutual understanding on bilateral issues.
Tarrifs on vegetables and fruits
* Regrettably, the issue of increased tariffs on vegetables and fruits has arisen. Typically, when the season for exporting fruits and vegetables from Afghanistan arrives, tariffs in Pakistan increase, causing significant losses to Afghan traders. This happened last year as well, but after contacting Pakistani officials, they acknowledged that it was a mistake and subsequently reduced the tariff. However, when we raised the issue of the nearly 1000 percent increase in tariffs on Afghan fruits and vegetables with the Pakistani Ministry of Commerce this year, they attributed the action to pressure from the International Monetary Fund, as Pakistan has abolished tax exemptions with several countries, particularly Afghanistan.
* In discussions with the Pakistani government, their suggestion was to include some trade items in the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to resolve the issue. Previously, a Pakistani delegation visiting Kabul had discussed mutual tax exemptions on certain trade items. This matter has been addressed but not yet finalized. The message has also been communicated to both sides, and the tariff may revert to its original state in the coming days. High-ranking officials of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, including the esteemed Prime Minister, have taken steps in this regard in Kabul, and I hope this issue will be resolved soon and reach a satisfactory conclusion.
