Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday urged the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to adopt urgent and coordinated measures against terrorism emanating from Afghanistan, warning that the presence of militant groups there posed a direct threat to regional peace and stability.
Addressing the OIC Contact Group on Afghanistan, Dar said terrorism could not be allowed to undermine collective security, adding that Afghanistan’s continued isolation from the international community was neither sustainable nor conducive to peace. He stressed that constructive dialogue and regional cooperation were vital to confronting shared security and economic challenges.
According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, the minister called for “practical steps to curb terrorism and safeguard peace,” while proposing the establishment of an OIC working group of experts to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for stability in Afghanistan. He underlined that “lasting peace requires sincerity, mutual respect and political will.”
Dar reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to back all collective initiatives that advance peace in Afghanistan and secure the region against militancy. “Pakistan stands prepared to play its role in forging coordinated strategies to counter extremism and ensure security for all,” he said.
His remarks came days after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned that cross-border militancy remained a critical challenge, urging Kabul to act decisively against elements destabilising Pakistan’s security.
Diplomatic observers noted that Dar’s proposals illustrated Islamabad’s twin strategy of exerting pressure while offering engagement, with the OIC providing a platform for consensus on Afghanistan’s future. They cautioned, however, that the response of Kabul and regional stakeholders would determine whether the call for joint action could translate into meaningful progress.
Pakistan’s appeal at the OIC has once again placed the spotlight on the urgent need for a credible, collective approach to tackle terrorism and build lasting stability in Afghanistan.
