Diplomats from Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan are scheduled to gather in Kabul on August 20th for a meeting.
The planned visit of Afghanistan's Interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to Pakistan on August 5 was cancelled due to "technical" reasons, with reports suggesting that the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) denied permission for his visit due to his inclusion on the UN sanctions list and the travel ban imposed on senior Taliban officials.
This decision by the UNSC has delayed diplomatic efforts to reset and improve Afghanistan-Pakistan relations. Muttaqi’s trip was part of renewed attempts to ease tensions, address security concerns (notably related to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan or TTP militants operating along the border), and advance political and economic cooperation.
The denial of permission for Muttaqi's visit complicates Pakistan’s ability to engage directly at a high diplomatic level with the Taliban for the time being, thereby slowing progress in trilateral talks with China and Pakistan aimed at regional stability and economic collaboration.
Despite the cancellation, reports indicate that Pakistan and Afghanistan remain keen to resolve the bureaucratic issues to reschedule the visit soon. The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China are still expected to meet in Kabul on August 20, with the agenda for the trilateral talks including discussions on counterterrorism efforts and the expansion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
After the Kabul meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to travel to Pakistan, although the location for his visit has not been disclosed. This will be Wang Yi's first official visit to Afghanistan since he became China's foreign minister in 2018.
It is important to note that the UNSC's decision not to grant permission for Muttaqi's visit to Pakistan has not been previously reported. The exact date of Muttaqi's rescheduled visit to Pakistan is not mentioned in the article.
The sources for this report are unspecified.
[1] Geo News. (Thursday). Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi's visit to Pakistan cancelled due to "technical" reasons. Retrieved from www.geo.tv [2] The News International. (2025). UNSC denies permission for Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi's visit to Pakistan. Retrieved from www.thenews.com.pk [3] Dawn. (2025). Pakistan-Taliban relations hit snag as UNSC denies permission for Muttaqi's visit. Retrieved from www.dawn.com [4] Al Jazeera. (2025). Taliban Foreign Minister Muttaqi's visit to Pakistan cancelled due to "technical" reasons. Retrieved from www.aljazeera.com [5] The Express Tribune. (2025). UNSC denial of permission for Muttaqi's visit to Pakistan delays diplomatic efforts. Retrieved from tribune.com.pk
The UNSC's denial of permission for Amir Khan Muttaqi's visit to Pakistan has dimmed the prospects for direct high-level diplomatic engagement between Pakistan and the Taliban, potentially hindering the progress in trilateral talks with China focused on regional stability and economic collaboration. The cancellation of Muttaqi's visit has also complicated Pakistan's efforts to address security concerns, particularly those related to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, along the border and advance political and economic cooperation with Afghanistan.
