The decision by Pakistan and Afghanistan to upgrade their diplomatic missions to ambassa-dorial level marks a significant and welcome development in regional diplomacy.
After months of strained ties marked by security concerns and mutual mistrust, this step signals a thawing of relations and a potential turning point in their bilateral engagement.
The an-nouncement comes on the heels of a pivotal trilateral meeting hosted by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing — a move that once again highlights China’s emerging role as a stabilizing force and mediator in South and Central Asia.
China’s behind-the-scene diplomacy has played a vital role in facilitating this break-through, reaffirming its commitment to peace, regional integration and a broader vision of shared prosperity.
Pakistan has always expressed a desire to maintain peaceful and construc-tive relations with Afghanistan.
However, cross-border terrorism, especially from elements operating within Afghan territory, has been a persistent obstacle.
Islamabad’s concerns over the presence and activities of terrorist outfits have been legitimate and well documented.
The elevation of diplomatic upgrade has the potential to translate into tangible cooperation across various sectors.
One of the most promising avenues is extension of CPEC to Afghanistan — a move that could bring immense economic dividends to the war-torn country.
CPEC indeed could serve as a lifeline for Afghanistan’s struggling economy, provided there is peace and political stability.
The benefits of regional connectivity through road, rail and trade infrastruc-ture are manifold.
However, these benefits can only be realised if the Afghan leadership en-sures that its territory is not used as a launching pad for violence and instability.
It is now in-cumbent upon the Afghan authorities to seize this opportunity to prioritise governance, de-velopment, and welfare of its people.
A healing touch is urgently needed and meaningful par-ticipation in projects like CPEC can help rebuild both the country’s economy and its global standing.
