Concurrently with two major regional summits, Iran and Pakistan have once again examined developments in Afghanistan through a security lens, emphasizing their implications for regional stability. In separate meetings, officials from both nations identified Afghanistan as a pivotal subject in regional security and political dialogues.
At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers' meeting in Kyrgyzstan, the situation in Afghanistan served as a central topic of discussion. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi affirmed Tehran's backing for any measures that foster a secure, stable, prosperous, and terrorism-free Afghanistan governed by an inclusive administration.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran supports any initiative leading to a secure, stable, prosperous, terrorism-free Afghanistan with an inclusive government," Araghchi stated. "In particular, we call for an end to tensions and conflict between Afghanistan and our friendly, brotherly nation of Pakistan."
Simultaneously, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, addressing the ASEAN Regional Forum, highlighted the threat posed by armed groups based in Afghanistan as a major regional security challenge.
Dar reiterated claims that Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) utilize Afghan territory to launch attacks against Pakistan. Taliban officials have consistently rejected these allegations, asserting that they will not allow Afghan soil to be used against any foreign nation.
"Pakistan has a single expectation from the Afghan Taliban regime: that it does not permit Afghan territory to be used for terrorist activities against Pakistan," the Pakistani Foreign Minister said. "Should the Taliban honor their commitments and promises, vast opportunities will open up for trade development, enhanced connectivity, regional transit, and socio-economic progress across South Asia, Central Asia, and beyond."
Ishaq Dar further urged members of the ASEAN Regional Forum to support efforts aimed at preventing the use of Afghan territory to threaten regional peace and security.
"I wish to utilize this important platform to call upon the Afghan Taliban regime and all patrons of terrorism in the region not to allow Afghan soil to be used against neighboring countries or any other nation," he added.
The Taliban have repeatedly denied the presence and operations of terrorist groups within Afghanistan, reiterating that no group will be permitted to use the country's territory against other states.
The remarks by Iranian and Pakistani officials across these two distinct summits underscore that Afghanistan remains a key focus in regional security dialogues, with ongoing concerns regarding the impact of its internal developments on broader regional stability.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
