{"id":86911,"date":"2026-08-17T10:44:50","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T10:44:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/?p=86911"},"modified":"2026-08-18T11:39:38","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T11:39:38","slug":"afghanistan-seeks-stronger-regional-cooperation-peaceful-ties-with-neighbours-ambassador-shakeeb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/index.php\/2026\/08\/17\/afghanistan-seeks-stronger-regional-cooperation-peaceful-ties-with-neighbours-ambassador-shakeeb\/","title":{"rendered":"Afghanistan seeks stronger regional cooperation, peaceful ties with neighbours: Ambassador Shakeeb"},"content":{"rendered":"<h6 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Afghan envoy says stability of Afghanistan is inseparable from regional peace, calls for dialogue, mutual respect and practical cooperation with Pakistan<\/em><\/h6>\n<p><strong>ISLAMABAD:<\/strong> Ambassador of Afghanistan to Pakistan Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb has called for stronger regional cooperation, sustained dialogue and mutual respect, saying Afghanistan seeks to transform itself from a theatre of geopolitical competition into a bridge for connectivity, trade, transit and economic cooperation.<\/p>\n<p>Addressing a gathering in Islamabad marking the fifth anniversary of Afghanistan\u2019s Victory Day, Ambassador Shakeeb said August 15 marked a new chapter in Afghanistan\u2019s contemporary history following more than four decades of war, foreign intervention and suffering.<\/p>\n<p>He said Afghanistan had embarked on a new path under unified leadership and an Islamic system, focusing on the implementation of Islamic Shariah, strengthening independent decision-making, consolidating stability, pursuing reconstruction and economic growth, and expanding relations with the international community on the basis of mutual respect.<\/p>\n<p>The ambassador said peace and stability in Afghanistan were not only in the interest of the Afghan people but also served the broader interests of the region and the international community.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Afghanistan seeks stronger regional cooperation, peaceful ties with neighbours: Ambassador Shakeeb\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yd7VCKMzVB8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cA peaceful and stable Afghanistan creates significant opportunities for regional connectivity, economic cooperation and collective security,\u201d he said, adding that the country could play a constructive role in promoting peace and prosperity across the region.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>He highlighted Afghanistan\u2019s geographical position between Central and South Asia, saying the country could serve as a natural bridge for trade, transit, investment and energy cooperation if its shared geographic advantages were utilized effectively.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe firmly believe that the stability of Afghanistan is inseparable from the stability of the region, and the prosperity of the region is closely linked to the prosperity of Afghanistan,\u201d Ambassador Shakeeb said.<\/p>\n<p>The Afghan envoy said neighbouring countries occupied the \u201cfirst and most important place\u201d in Afghanistan\u2019s foreign policy vision.<\/p>\n<p>He said geography, shared history, faith, culture, centuries-old trade relations and family and social ties had created deep bonds between Afghanistan and its neighbours, particularly Pakistan. \u201cThese deep ties call for mutual respect, shared interests and a shared commitment to our common future,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Ambassador Shakeeb said Afghanistan sought relations with all its neighbours, particularly Pakistan, based on mutual respect, sovereign equality, non-interference in each other\u2019s internal affairs and the pursuit of shared interests.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>He stressed that trust could not be established through pressure or force, but through understanding, sustained dialogue and sincere cooperation.<\/p>\n<p>Acknowledging that differences between neighbouring countries were natural, the ambassador said disagreements should not become a source of greater distance. \u201cDuring times of disagreement, the path of dialogue, mutual respect and political wisdom should be pursued,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>He added that challenges, when addressed with sincerity and goodwill, could provide opportunities to build trust and expand cooperation.<\/p>\n<p>According to the ambassador, sustainable regional security required a shared commitment to mutual trust, practical coordination, sincere cooperation and respect for each other\u2019s legitimate concerns. \u201cThe stronger the trust between us, the stronger the foundations of peace, stability and prosperity throughout our region will become,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Ambassador Shakeeb said Afghanistan did not pursue a policy of confrontation and would not allow its territory to be used against the security and stability of any other country. \u201cIn the same spirit, we hope and remain confident that Afghanistan\u2019s legitimate security concerns will be understood and respected, and that no country will allow its territory to be used against Afghanistan,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>He expressed Afghanistan\u2019s readiness to further strengthen practical and constructive cooperation with neighbouring countries on the basis of these principles.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cOur vision is clear: an Afghanistan that is not a field for geopolitical competition, but a bridge for regional connectivity, trade, transit, dialogue and cooperation,\u201d the ambassador said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Concluding his address, Ambassador Shakeeb thanked the guests for attending the anniversary gathering, saying their presence reflected respect, friendship and mutual goodwill.<\/p>\n<p>He prayed for peace, stability, prosperity and success for Afghanistan, the region and the wider international community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Afghan envoy says stability of Afghanistan is inseparable from regional peace, calls for dialogue, mutual respect and practical cooperation with Pakistan ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Afghanistan to Pakistan Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb has called for stronger regional cooperation, sustained dialogue and mutual respect, saying Afghanistan seeks to transform itself from a theatre of geopolitical competition into a 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