Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq Khan, on Sunday strongly criticized the Taliban’s misrule in Afghanistan, urging the group to end its support for terrorist networks and take concrete steps to protect Afghan citizens.
Speaking at the Meeting of Special Representatives of Afghanistan’s Neighbouring Countries Plus Russia, attended by representatives from Russia, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, Khan emphasized that terrorism emanating from Afghan territory continues to pose a serious threat to regional security.
He highlighted the immense suffering of the Afghan people under Taliban governance and stressed that meaningful engagement with Afghanistan by neighbouring and regional countries is impossible as long as terrorist groups operate freely within its borders. “The Taliban must eliminate all terrorist networks completely and without discrimination to restore trust and stability,” Khan said.
The meeting, convened by Iran, noted the Taliban’s absence despite being invited, underscoring the group’s continued isolation from the international community. Khan called on the Taliban to prioritize the welfare of ordinary Afghans over ideological or militant agendas, warning that failure to act could exacerbate regional instability.
Pakistani officials reiterated concerns over the Taliban providing safe haven to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants and other extremist elements. United Nations Security Council reports have confirmed the presence of these groups in Afghanistan, while the Taliban have denied the allegations and accused Pakistan of failing to secure its own territory.
Khan emphasized that regional and international efforts to revive Afghanistan’s economy, restore connectivity, and reduce cross-border militancy depend on the Taliban ending their support for terrorism. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional security and counter-terrorism, stating that measures would continue until the Taliban abandon extremist policies and protect the Afghan populace.
