Muttaqi Calls for Afghan Prisoner Release During Oman Visit

Amir Khan Muttaqi, during his visit to Oman, called for the release of Afghan prisoners and proposed direct flights and enhanced trade between Afghanistan and Oman. Meanwhile, cooperation between Iran and Afghanistan on water and energy projects was reaffirmed, and Greek officials at the UN criticized the Islamic Emirate for gender discrimination, while India rejected Pakistan’s terrorism accusations.

During his visit to Oman, Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, advocated for the release and reduction of prison terms for Afghan prisoners. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he held discussions with several Omani officials, including the Minister of the Royal Office and representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and Investment.

Muttaqi emphasized the need to initiate direct flights between Afghanistan and Oman and called for enhanced coordination with the Afghan Embassy to better serve Afghans residing in Oman. Moreover, he highlighted the importance of boosting trade relations between the two nations.

He further engaged with the Omani Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, proposing a bilateral exchange of experiences in mosque management, pilgrimage, and endowments. Additionally, he sought Oman’s support in rebuilding mosques in Afghanistan.

In a related development, Ali Reza Bikdeli, the acting ambassador from Iran, expressed Iran’s commitment to collaborate with Afghanistan on water and energy projects during discussions with Abdul Latif Mansour, the acting minister of Energy and Water. The two officials underscored the necessity for strengthened cooperation to address issues such as water shortages.

Mansour pointed out that Afghanistan has created favorable investment opportunities and is open to collaborating with neighboring countries for developmental projects. Members of the private sector expressed optimism that enhanced economic relations with Iran would contribute to economic stability in both nations.

In a UN meeting, a representative from Greece criticized the Islamic Emirate’s gender discrimination, urging that any engagement with it should not compromise the rights of women in Afghanistan. A Greek official denounced legislation that aims to diminish women’s roles in public life.

French officials supported this stance, warning that neglecting women’s rights undermines humanity. In a similar vein, the Australian Ambassador for Gender Equality announced that a coalition of nations is prepared to take legal action against the Islamic Emirate regarding violations of women’s rights.

Simultaneously, India has categorically dismissed Pakistan’s allegations of its involvement in terrorism, asserting that Pakistan should introspect rather than project blame onto others. This statement came following an attack by militants in Pakistan, which was linked to Afghanistan by Pakistani officials.

The spokesperson for India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the global consensus regarding Pakistan’s role in fostering terrorism, while the Afghan Islamic Emirate firmly refuted any association with the incident in question.

Overall, the recent diplomatic engagements highlight critical discussions surrounding prisoner treatment, water and energy cooperation, and violations of women’s rights, reflecting ongoing regional political dynamics.

In summary, Amir Khan Muttaqi’s diplomatic initiatives during his Oman visit illustrate critical demands for prisoner release and enhanced bilateral relations. Concurrently, Iran’s dedication to water and energy projects with Afghanistan reaffirms regional development focus. Moreover, global concerns for Afghan women’s rights were emphasized at the UN, while India confronted Pakistan’s allegations regarding terrorism, underscoring the complexity of regional security dynamics.

Original Source: www.ariananews.af