Trade, tea and TTP: A morning with Afghanistan’s top diplomat

ISLAMABAD: Wearing a brown jacket over a white shalwar kameez, Afghan Charge d’Affaires Sardar Ahmad Shakib welcomed me into his embassy office with a bright smile on Thursday morning.

Shakib, in his mid-30s, spent his formative years in Quetta, Peshawar, and Karachi. He received his religious education from a madrassa in Karachi, which has given him a good understanding of Urdu as well as the traditions of the country. During the final years of the Afghan Taliban’s struggle for control of Kabul, he served in their media wing, providing them insight into how the world operates, particularly Pakistan.

Originally from Afghanistan’s Zabul province, Shakib has been serving as a diplomat in his first assignment as head of the Afghan Embassy in Pakistan since October 2022 even though Pakistan, like many other nations, has not formally recognized the Taliban government in Kabul. Both Afghanistan and Pakistan have also accused each other of supporting terrorism since the Afghan Taliban took control of Kabul on August 15, 2021.

Undeterred by the ongoing tensions between the two countries, Afghanistan’s top diplomat in Islamabad invited me to sit on a sofa to his right -- calmly, like an experienced diplomat who remains unflustered even amidst challenging times. Our meeting was arranged at my request, which I had made a few days earlier. And so this is how I found myself in this newly rented bungalow of the Afghanistan Embassy located in an upscale Islamabad neighbourhood.

Our meeting was also taking place just a day after Islamabad officially protested with Shakib over a controversy involving the Afghan consul general in Peshawar, who did not stand during the Pakistani national anthem at an event hosted by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government. When I asked what had happened in Peshawar, Shakib clarified, “The Afghan representatives had no intention of offending anyone present. The decision not to stand during the event was influenced by the accompanying music, reflecting a cultural difference at significant gatherings.”

I inquired whether he had responded to the demarche issued by the Pakistani authorities. “I have forwarded it to our authorities in Afghanistan,” he replied thoughtfully, while expressing a sincere desire to foster deeper ties between the nations.

It has only been a few days that KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced a unilateral dialogue with the Afghan government for peace in his province. I asked the Afghan envoy what he thought of the statement regarding negotiations with the Afghan government, and he indicated that any discussion would be premature at this point.

I then raised the issue of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) offensive against Pakistan, allegedly from Afghan soil. Taking a firm stance on this question, the Afghan charge d’affaires emphasized that the Taliban administration has strictly prohibited Afghan citizens from conducting operations outside their borders, including in Pakistan. “Our Amir ul Momineen has strict orders that no one is allowed to interfere in the affairs of other countries, including Pakistan,” he stressed, adding that those found violating this directive would face consequences, as evidenced by prior arrests of individuals defying the Amir’s orders.

The Afghan diplomat also asserted that it is in Afghanistan’s interest to ensure stability within Pakistan, highlighting that warnings had been issued to all Taliban members against any cross-border operations.

When asked if any secret negotiations are taking place between the two countries regarding this issue, he emphasized that there are currently no active negotiations between the Pakistani government and the TTP mediated by the Afghan government.

Shakib also addressed economic ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan, stressing the potential for collaboration through trade though he lamented the closure of the Peshawar-Torkham route for a month, which has hindered Afghan trade -- particularly in fruits and vegetables -- and resulted in significant losses for Afghan merchants, with not a single commercial vehicle having traveled between the two countries during this period.

As Afghanistan seeks to navigate its diplomatic relations and economic challenges, Charge d’Affaires’ Shakib’s remarks provide a glimpse into the complexities shaping the future of Afghan-Pakistani interactions.

During our conversation, the young Afghan diplomat offered me green tea and dried fruit, listened patiently to my probing questions and shared his experience with Pakistani authorities, particularly regarding immigration and customs. He seems determined to play a vital role in bringing both nations closer.

When I was leaving, he mentioned his desire to enhance his engagement with Pakistani media. As I walked to the outer door of the embassy with his young and bright media officer, Shahid, the one thought that lingered was how the Afghan Taliban had placed someone in Islamabad who understands how to engage Pakistanis. I hope this initiative serves both countries well.