Pakistan Seeks Russia’s Anti-Terror Cooperation in Afghanistan

Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior announced that Mohsin Naqvi, in a meeting with Alexander Kolokoltsev, Russia’s Interior Minister, requested close cooperation between Moscow and Islamabad to combat terrorist groups in Afghanistan. According to the ministry, the two sides agreed to develop a joint regional strategy with a particular focus on Afghanistan.

The meeting, held at the United Nations headquarters, focused on strengthening bilateral relations and reviewing the regional security situation, according to a statement released on Thursday, 18 Saratan (July 9). The parties also discussed expanding cooperation in fighting drug trafficking, terrorism, cyber crimes, and conducting joint military exercises. Pakistan’s Interior Minister extended an invitation to his Russian counterpart to visit Islamabad.

During the meeting, Mohsin Naqvi claimed that “more than 25 terrorist groups” are active in Afghanistan and emphasized that eliminating these groups is a shared responsibility of the regional countries. These remarks come while the Taliban administration has consistently denied the presence of armed groups opposing Pakistan on Afghan soil.

Tensions between Islamabad and the Taliban administration have increased in recent months. Following a visit to Moscow, Taliban Defense Minister Yaqub Mujahid stated that Pakistan would no longer dare to attack Afghanistan; however, shortly afterward, the Pakistani military launched airstrikes targeting three eastern provinces of Afghanistan.

Pakistan accuses the Taliban administration of harboring the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Afghan territory. United Nations Security Council reports have also confirmed the presence of TTP fighters and other groups in Afghanistan. The TTP has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks against Pakistani security forces, and Islamabad asserts that these attacks are planned from inside Afghanistan.

Conversely, the Pakistani military’s airstrikes inside Afghanistan have faced widespread criticism. The United Nations has confirmed that hundreds of civilians have been killed in these strikes, raising concerns about the immunity of residents in border areas and the Taliban administration’s inability to ensure security and prevent Afghan territory from being used against neighboring countries.