Afghanistan’s Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi met with his Pakistani counterpart Jam Kamal Khan, discussing bilateral trade, transit and other issues of mutual interest, it was announced on Thursday.

Separate meetings between the technical teams of both sides are also expected to be held for further discussions to find proper solutions for existing challenges and boost the bilateral trade, Afghanistan’s embassy in Islamabad said in a statement.

In a separate statement, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce said that the meeting discussed extension of APTA trade agreement, transit facilities, prevention of smuggling of goods, coal exports, round-the-clock operations at Torkham crossing, possibility of bilateral trade through Ghulam Khan port, movement of trucks between the two countries, bank guarantee and creating a comprehensive mechanism for the management of ports.

Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman on Wednesday declared the forced deportation of Afghan nationals from Pakistan a violation of their human rights and urged international community and human rights organisations to take notice of it.

“Pakistani authorities are trampling on the human rights of Afghan refugees by hauling them like chattels in vehicles. Islamabad is unhappy over something else but taking revenge on Afghan refugees. This is a sentimental type of decision,” the JUI-F chief told a news conference in Peshawar, Dawn newspaper reported.

He said that Afghan professionals like doctors, engineers and others should have been adjusted here and should not be forced to leave the country.

The JUI-F chief said that expulsion of investors and businessmen who were doing business in Pakistan would also have economic consequences.

He wondered why Pakistan was made to suffer from such “blind decisions”.

“Pakistan’s interest should be kept in mind while making decisions,” he said.

Fazl said that students who were enrolled in Pakistan should also not be expelled and as forcing them out leaves them nowhere.

He said that education was one of the basic human rights and denying it was trampling on human rights.

Regarding the rest of the refugees, the JUI-F chief said that it was an issue between both countries and Pakistan had previously happily accepted Afghan nationals on its soil.

He said that hospitality was a part of Pashtun code.

“It’s imprudent to kick Afghans out of the country after hosting them for 45 years. Both countries should sit together and devise mechanisms for the repatriation of the Afghans,” he said.

Fazl said that unilateral expulsion of Afghan refugees not only violated human rights but also brought bad name to Pakistan.

Acting Minister of Refugees and Repatriation Mawlawi Abdul Kabir on Wednesday met with Per Albert Ilsaas, the Norwegian Chargé d’Affaires to Afghanistan, discussing the challenges faced by Afghan refugees amid the ongoing forced deportations from Pakistan.

During the meeting, Ilsaas expressed deep concern over the situation, noting that the Norwegian government is actively working to address the issue through international diplomatic channels. He acknowledged the progress made by the Islamic Emirate in various areas and stressed the need for dialogue and direct engagement between Norway and the Islamic Emirate to resolve pressing concerns, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation.

The diplomat also welcomed the Islamic Emirate’s declaration of a general amnesty, describing it as a meaningful step toward fostering peace and reducing acts of retaliation. Additionally, he mentioned the possibility of reopening Afghanistan’s embassy in Norway, which he believes could help strengthen diplomatic relations and enhance trust between Kabul and European countries, the statement said.

In reply, Abdul Kabir thanked the Norwegian government for its continued humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. He reaffirmed the Islamic Emirate’s commitment to serving all citizens equally and emphasized its dedication to rebuilding and developing Afghanistan.

Kabir also condemned the forced deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, labeling it a violation of human rights and international principles. He called on the global community to increase its support in addressing the growing refugee crisis and revealed that the Islamic Emirate is working on a permanent housing plan for returning refugees, urging humanitarian organizations to contribute to this effort.