Amir Khan Muttaqi, Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, recently urged Oman to lessen prison terms for Afghans and improve bilateral relations, including trade and cultural exchanges in religious matters. Meanwhile, the UN addressed gender discrimination in Afghanistan, while India rejected Pakistan’s terrorism allegations, emphasizing diplomatic introspection.
During his visit to Oman, Amir Khan Muttaqi, Afghanistan’s Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, urged the Omani government to reduce the prison sentences of Afghan nationals and facilitate their release. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement detailing his meetings with key Omani officials, including the Minister of the Royal Office, and discussions regarding consular services and direct flight connections between the two countries.
Muttaqi also advocated for enhancing trade relations between Afghanistan and Oman. He emphasized the importance of sharing experiences in managing mosques and pilgrimage activities, requesting Omani assistance in reconstructing mosques in Afghanistan. The initiative aims not only at improving Afghanistan’s infrastructure but also strengthening bilateral relations.
In a separate development, Ali Reza Bikdeli, Iran’s acting ambassador in Kabul, stated Iran’s commitment to collaborating with Afghanistan on water and energy development projects. This discussion took place with Abdul Latif Mansour, Afghanistan’s acting minister of Energy and Water, focusing on urgent water supply and drought issues impacting Afghanistan.
In a recent United Nations meeting, Greece’s representative criticized ongoing gender discrimination in Afghanistan, urging that any engagement with the Islamic Emirate (IEA) should not undermine women’s rights. The Greek official highlighted laws restricting women’s public presence and called for an end to the systematic violations of women’s rights.
Additionally, India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected Pakistan’s allegations about terrorism, encouraging Pakistan to reflect on its internal problems and cease pointing fingers at others. This reaction followed a violent incident involving the Balochistan Liberation Army that killed 21 individuals, with Pakistan claiming Indian involvement in terrorism and linking it to Afghan entities. The Islamic Emirate has dismissed these allegations as unfounded.
Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to Oman emphasized the need for humanitarian considerations, particularly concerning Afghan prisoners. The discussions highlighted the potential for enhanced trade, cultural exchange, and mutual support in religious matters. Concurrently, ongoing international dialogues stress the importance of addressing women’s rights in Afghanistan amid criticism of the IEA’s policies. Finally, regional tensions persist between India and Pakistan, as accusations regarding terrorism continue without resolution, urging both nations towards introspection and constructive dialogue.
Original Source: www.ariananews.af
