New York (TDI): The foreign ministers of Pakistan, China, Iran, and Russia have jointly called on Afghanistan to take “practical and verifiable steps” to dismantle militant networks operating from its soil.
The appeal was made during a meeting held on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly session, where the four ministers reaffirmed their support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while stressing the importance of preventing its territory from being used as a base for terrorism.
Since 2017, the four countries have maintained a quadrilateral dialogue on Afghanistan, focusing on regional stability, curbing militancy, and countering the narcotics trade. The grouping, which meets at both ministerial and envoy levels, also seeks to encourage political dialogue and promote economic connectivity in the region.
In their joint statement, the ministers voiced concern over the continued presence of groups such as ISIL, Al-Qaeda, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), Jaish ul-Adl, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and the Majeed Brigade, describing them as a major threat to both regional and global peace.
Read More: At OIC, Pakistan Urges Afghanistan to Act Against Militants
They emphasized that peace in Afghanistan and the fight against terrorism, extremism, and narcotics are shared responsibilities. The ministers also urged adjustments to the UN’s 1988 sanctions regime to reflect current realities, including possible travel exemptions for certain Taliban officials.
The four sides further underlined the importance of humanitarian aid for the Afghan people, calling for assistance to remain free of political conditions. They voiced support for regional economic projects to ease Afghanistan’s crisis and integrate it into wider trade networks, while also urging the international community to step up emergency relief efforts.
Read More: Pakistan Warns UN of Terror Threats Originating from Afghanistan
Reiterating their support for a political settlement to the Afghan conflict, the ministers welcomed ongoing diplomatic efforts and highlighted the role of platforms such as the Moscow Format, the Meeting of Afghanistan’s Neighbouring Countries, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in advancing dialogue.
They also welcomed the recent meeting of their special envoys on Afghanistan, held earlier this month in Dushanbe, and encouraged the continuation of such quadrilateral consultations.
