Pakistan and Iran Urge Greater Pressure on Taliban Over Border Security

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iran’s President Massoud Pezeshkian have stressed the need to pressure the Taliban administration into taking meaningful security measures. Speaking on the sidelines of the International Conference on Peace and Trust in Ashgabat, Sharif emphasized that terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory are a major factor behind insecurity along the border shared by the two nations. He called for the international community to act in order to curb these threats.

According to a statement from the Pakistani Prime Minister’s office, the two leaders expressed mutual support in the face of “foreign aggression” and shared security threats. Sharif also highlighted the importance of expanding bilateral economic cooperation between Islamabad and Tehran, boosting trade, activating border markets, and improving transportation links, including efforts to revive the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul railway corridor.

Prior to this meeting, Sharif also held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. During the discussion, Erdoğan offered Ankara’s support in mediating a lasting ceasefire between Pakistan and the Taliban administration, as well as in establishing a monitoring mechanism to prevent border clashes. This initiative aligns with Turkey’s broader efforts to strengthen friendly relations with Islamabad and enhance cooperation in energy, trade, and investment sectors.

The International Conference on Peace and Trust was held to mark the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s neutrality and the UN’s designation of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust. On the sidelines of the event, Sharif reiterated that the global community must urge the Taliban administration to uphold its international commitments to combating terrorism. He warned that the Taliban’s failure to curb extremist groups threatens not only regional security but also Pakistan’s domestic stability.

Recent meetings between Pakistani officials and regional leaders reflect growing concerns over increased border attacks and the expanding presence of extremist groups based in Afghanistan. Experts note that the Taliban has so far failed to demonstrate sufficient will or capability to restrain such groups — a shortcoming that has strengthened calls by neighboring states for greater international pressure on the Taliban.