Daily Times

Afghanistan on Tuesday urged Pakistan to reopen its airspace for Afghan flights. The airspace was closed following tensions between Pakistan and India in February, the Afghan Foreign Ministry said.

Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Idrees Zaman reportedly conveyed his country’s concern to Pakistani Ambassador to Kabul Zahed Nasrullah Khan in a meeting in Kabul. “Deputy Minister Zaman emphasised the improvement of ties between the two countries and expressed the Afghan government’s concern regarding the closure of Pakistani aerial space for Afghanistan’s flights,” an Afghan Foreign Ministry statement said.

It said the Pakistani ambassador had promised that the government would soon decide on reopening the aerial space,” it said. The two sides discussed the expansion of economic ties between the two countries; ways to resolve transit and transport issues; joining forces to counter terrorism and holding a joint conference of the religious scholars of the two countries.

The statement added that the two officials also discussed resumption of bilateral dialogue known as APAPPS, the recent telephone conversation between the heads of the two countries, further cooperation in the areas of consular affairs, peace, resolving border issues and joint regional cooperation. It may be noted here that the meeting of the APAPPS had not been held since November due to tensions, according to officials. The last meeting on refugees was held in Islamabad in November.