Seriк Zhumangarin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Kazakhstan, has called for de-escalation of tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan during his official visit to Kabul, emphasizing that all disputes between the two countries must be resolved through dialogue and diplomatic channels.
Kabul 24: Zhumangarin, who is leading a high-level Kazakh delegation, told Afghan officials that Afghanistan and Pakistan, as two neighboring Muslim nations, should settle all outstanding issues at the negotiating table.
He added that Kazakhstan is ready to play a mediating role and assist in peacefully resolving the tensions if both sides formally request it.“Any conflict must be resolved through dialogue,” he said. “The President of Kazakhstan also places great emphasis on this matter.
We urge both sides to address their differences through diplomatic means.”The senior Kazakh official highlighted the close relations between Astana and Kabul, noting that Kazakhstan kept its embassy in Kabul active even during difficult years.
He stated that Kazakhstan was the first country to formally appoint an ambassador and establish an official diplomatic presence in Afghanistan.
Zhumangarin further revealed that Kazakhstan was the first nation to remove the Islamic Emirate from its list of banned organizations. He added that the Afghan embassy in Astana and its consulate in Almaty continue to operate normally.
The Deputy Prime Minister expressed hope that the issue of international recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will also progress through diplomatic and political processes and reach a positive outcome in the near future.
The high-level Kazakh delegation, headed by Serik Zhumangarin, arrived in Kabul on June 20 (30 Jowza). During meetings with Islamic Emirate officials, the delegation discussed expanding economic, trade, transit, and political cooperation between the two countries.
Kazakhstan, as one of the key countries in Central Asia, has consistently emphasized the importance of developing relations with Afghanistan, viewing it as a vital gateway to the markets of South Asia and the Middle East.
This visit comes at a time when border and security tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have occasionally escalated, raising concerns across the region.Kazakh officials believe that stability in Afghanistan benefits not only the Afghan people but the entire region, paving the way for greater trade, investment, and large-scale transit projects.
This trip and Kazakhstan’s clear stance reflect the growing desire of Central Asian nations to play a more active role in reducing regional tensions and strengthening multilateral diplomacy with Afghanistan
