Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has called on the Afghan Taliban to take immediate, concrete and verifiable measures to prevent Afghan territory from being used for terrorism against neighbouring countries, particularly Pakistan.
Addressing a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Afghanistan on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed serious concern over the continued presence of terrorist groups inside Afghanistan and stressed the need for decisive action against terrorist organisations and their sanctuaries.
Senator Dar urged the Afghan Taliban to end the patronage of terrorist groups and fulfil Afghanistan’s international obligations and commitments. He emphasised that preventing the use of Afghan soil for terrorist activities requires practical steps that can be demonstrated and verified, rather than assurances alone.
Referring to the recent terrorist attack in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the human cost of terrorism and Pakistan’s continuing sacrifices in combating militant violence. He said the attack served as a stark reminder of the serious security threat posed by terrorist groups operating in the region and underscored the urgent need for concrete action against terrorist organisations and their safe havens.
Senator Dar stressed that terrorist groups and their sanctuaries must be addressed through immediate and effective measures, reiterating Pakistan’s position that Afghan territory must not be permitted to become a launching ground for attacks against neighbouring states.
The Deputy Prime Minister called upon the Afghan Taliban to honour Afghanistan’s international obligations and commitments and to take effective measures against terrorist groups operating from its territory. Pakistan has consistently maintained that a peaceful Afghanistan is important for regional stability and that security concerns emanating from Afghan territory require meaningful cooperation and action. Pakistan’s Foreign Office has previously stated that Islamabad remains prepared to pursue regional engagement and cooperation provided concerns relating to terrorism are addressed.
In his address, Senator Dar also called upon the Afghan Taliban to lift restrictions imposed on women and girls, alongside urging progress towards more inclusive governance. He further called for international support to address Afghanistan’s humanitarian needs and socio-economic challenges, including adequate funding for humanitarian assistance and development.
Despite its security concerns, Pakistan reiterated its support for a stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan that is at peace with itself and its neighbours. Senator Dar stressed that stability in Afghanistan remains closely connected with the peace and security of the wider region. Pakistan’s position, as articulated at the OIC forum, combines support for Afghanistan’s humanitarian and socio-economic development with a call for concrete measures to address terrorism and regional security concerns.
The OIC Contact Group meeting provided a platform for member states to discuss developments in Afghanistan and ways to strengthen international engagement. The OIC has separately reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Afghan people through engagement and practical cooperation, including humanitarian and development assistance.
Pakistan’s message at the forum was clear: Afghanistan’s territory must not be used for terrorism against neighbouring countries, while sustained international engagement remains necessary to support peace, stability, humanitarian needs and economic development in the country.
