Afghanistan Tops Agenda at Kazakhstan-Pakistan Peace Talks in Turkmenistan
At the 2025 international ‘Peace and Trust’ conference held in Turkmenistan, Afghanistan emerged as a central topic in speeches by the leaders of Kazakhstan and Pakistan. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev described stability in the South Caucasus as vital for regional security and stressed that without continued support for the Afghan people, ensuring regional stability would be impossible. He urged greater global coordination to assist Afghanistan and support its reconstruction.
Tokayev also highlighted the importance of the UN’s regional office in Almaty, Kazakhstan, which serves Central Asian countries and Afghanistan, stating that it should be used as a key platform for joint cooperation.
At the same event, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated his country’s previous position on Afghanistan, claiming that security threats originating from Afghan territory are on the rise. He called on the international community to pressure the Taliban administration to uphold its international commitments and prevent terrorist groups from operating. Sharif also expressed appreciation for peace efforts by Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran aimed at achieving a permanent ceasefire.
In response to these remarks, political analyst Najibullah Bahadar said Pakistan is attempting to shift the blame for the spread of terrorism onto Afghanistan, despite the fact that the main training centers for extremist groups are located within Pakistan. The Taliban administration has yet to respond to the latest statements from Pakistani officials, though in the past it has dismissed such accusations as baseless.
Experts believe Afghanistan’s geographical location and ongoing political challenges continue to make it a focal point in regional security discussions. The positions of neighboring countries toward the Taliban administration could significantly impact the future stability of Central Asia.
