Pakistan says terrorism emanating from Afghanistan poses a major challenge to the region
ISLAMABAD:
Senior officials from Afghanistan’s immediate neighbors, along with Russia, met together in Tehran on Sunday to discuss the ongoing situation in Afghanistan.
But, diplomatic sources said, the high-profile meeting ended without a joint communique, highlighting continuing divisions over the approach to Taliban rule and regional security.
Hosted by Iran, the meeting of special representatives of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries plus Russia brought together envoys from Pakistan, China, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
However, the Taliban regime had declined the invitation, further complicating efforts to coordinate a unified regional strategy.
While the discussions reportedly ended with consensus on one point that terrorism originating from Afghan soil remains a significant threat to the region, the participants could not reconcile their positions on other issues, preventing the issuance of a joint statement.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi opened the meeting with a keynote speech emphasizing the strategic importance of Afghanistan’s stability to regional security.
“Afghanistan’s security is directly linked to the interests of all neighboring countries,” he said. Araghchi stressed that regular dialogue mechanisms between Afghanistan’s neighbors are essential to prevent misunderstandings, coordinate policies and promote economic, border and humanitarian cooperation.
“No extra-regional plan can solve regional problems and crises,” he added, warning against reliance on external actors to bring stability.
Araghchi also highlighted Afghanistan’s economic potential, pointing out that improved conditions could enable the country to serve as a vital corridor linking Central and South Asia as well as West Asia and the Asia-Pacific, facilitating trade and energy transit.
Ahead of the meeting in Tehran, Iran facilitated talks between anti-Taliban Afghan political groups that culminated in the declaration of “national solidarity between Afghanistan’s political parties and movements”.
The political factions urged a solution to the Afghan crisis through dialogue, signaling the limits of the Taliban’s engagement in multilateral diplomacy.
Pakistan, represented by its Special Representative for Afghanistan Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq, made its position clear during the meeting.
In his statement, Sadiq stressed that terrorism originating in Afghanistan continues to pose a “major challenge to the region.”
He stressed that the Afghan people have already endured enough hardship and that the Taliban authorities must de facto take concrete steps to improve conditions.
“The most important step in this regard would be to rid Afghan soil indiscriminately of all types of terrorists,” Sadiq said.
He added that only an Afghanistan free of terrorist networks could build trust among neighbors and enable meaningful engagement, helping the country realize its “enormous economic and connectivity potential.”
Pakistan’s delegation also highlighted Islamabad’s security concerns and its desire to promote peace, development and stability in the region.
Ambassador Sadiq, along with Pakistan’s ambassador to Kabul, Obaid Nizamani, attended the discussions and reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to regional cooperation despite strained ties with the Taliban.
“The people of Afghanistan deserve better,” Sadiq said, stressing that any meaningful engagement with Kabul depends on the Taliban’s willingness to take decisive action against terrorist groups operating within its territory.
Pakistan’s position reflects both its immediate security interests and broader regional ambitions for a stable, connected Afghanistan.
Iranian officials also held bilateral talks with Pakistan’s representatives. In a courtesy call, Ambassador Sadiq met Foreign Minister Araghchi, who reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to deepen ties with Islamabad.
The discussions reportedly reflected growing coordination between the two countries, particularly regarding Afghanistan, as well as mutual interest in expanding trade, energy cooperation and regional stability.
While the meeting provided an opportunity for frank dialogue, the absence of a joint statement underscores the continuing divergences among Afghanistan’s neighbors over the Taliban and the broader approach to the Afghan crisis.
Observers noted that the Taliban’s refusal to attend has complicated consensus building and limited the meeting’s immediate diplomatic impact.
Analysts suggest that Pakistan’s emphasis on tackling terrorism reflects Islamabad’s ongoing security concerns, particularly cross-border attacks and militant networks that use Afghan territory as a safe haven.
Meanwhile, China, Russia and the Central Asian neighbors are reportedly focused on broader regional stability and economic integration, highlighting different priorities among stakeholders.
Iran’s role as host underscores Tehran’s desire to position itself as a mediator in Afghan affairs, although the lack of a joint outcome shows the limits of such regional initiatives when key actors, particularly the Taliban, are unwilling or unable to engage.
Despite the absence of a formal communiqué, the meeting in Tehran signaled a willingness among regional actors to maintain dialogue, exchange views and coordinate security and development issues. Pakistan’s strong messaging on terrorism and the need for Taliban accountability is likely to remain central to future regional discussions.
