Dar urges SCO to press Afghan Taliban on counter-terror commitments

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday told a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation that lasting regional peace and stability would remain out of reach unless militancy operating from Afghan territory was eliminated.

Addressing the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers, Dar said peace, stability and economic progress in the region depended on ending what he described as terrorism emanating from Afghan soil. He also said Pakistan hoped the SCO would urge the Afghan Taliban administration to fulfil the counter-terrorism assurances it had made to the international community and discharge its responsibilities toward global peace and security.

In his remarks, Dar said the SCO had evolved into an important platform for regional cooperation since its creation. He described the organisation as a driver of progress in peace, security, stability and economic connectivity, while also promoting deeper cultural links among member states.

“Durable peace, stability and economic development can only be achieved with the eradication of the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil,”

Dar further said: “We hope the SCO will call upon the Afghan Taliban regime to honour its counter-terrorism commitments to the international community and fulfil its responsibilities towards global peace and security.” He also said that since its establishment, the SCO has become “an anchor for regional cooperation, driving vital progress in peace, security, stability and economic connectivity while also simultaneously fostering deep cultural exchanges among member states“.