Pakistan urges stability in Afghanistan for regional security

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who also serves as deputy prime minister, on Tuesday stressed the importance of establishing stability in Afghanistan at a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s Council of Heads of Government in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. He said Pakistan has always wanted a peaceful, stable Afghanistan with strong regional ties and one that lives in peaceful coexistence with its neighbours.

Dar added that his country had made efforts to support Afghanistan’s development and the welfare of its people, but Pakistan’s only expectation from the current Afghan government is that its territory not be used for terrorist activities against Pakistan or other countries.

The Pakistani foreign minister’s remarks come amid deep concerns in the region over security threats posed by some armed groups, an issue that has created challenges for peace and stability in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries.