Pakistan urges Taliban authorities to curb armed groups targeting the country
Pakistan has called on the Taliban authorities to prevent the activity of armed groups against it.
Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s ambassador to Russia, said at a regional meeting that threats emanating from Afghan soil target Pakistan and urged the Taliban authorities to stop militant groups from operating against the country.
Tirmizi, who joined the meeting online, described peace and stability in Afghanistan as important for the security and economy of the Eurasian region. He said Islamabad remained committed to a policy of “constructive engagement” with the Taliban authorities.
The Pakistani ambassador also said Afghanistan could play either a connecting role or a disruptive one along the North-South Corridor. He stressed cooperation among regional countries in delivering humanitarian aid, reviving Afghanistan’s economy and strengthening stability in the country.
Zamir Kabulov, the Russian president’s special envoy for Afghanistan, also said Afghanistan was at a sensitive stage and regional countries should use the opportunity to help stabilise the country. He added that Moscow had plans to strengthen Afghanistan’s economy and create the conditions for self-sufficiency for its people, and expressed hope that the talks at the meeting would help strengthen stability in Afghanistan and the wider region.
The two-day conference, attended by representatives and experts from Pakistan, Russia, Afghanistan, China and Tajikistan, ended on Wednesday. A number of officials from Afghanistan’s former government also shared their views on the peace process, the country’s political future and its security challenges.
