ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Russia have expressed concerns over the presence of Daesh in Afghanistan.
Following a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Tuesday, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, who is on an official four-day visit to Russia, said: “There was unanimity of views that unchecked proliferation of Daesh in Afghanistan, particularly along the borders of neighboring countries, was a threat to peace in the entire region.”
During talks, Lavrov insisted that combating terrorism is a priority area of cooperation between Islamabad and Moscow.
“We are planning to continue giving practical assistance in strengthening the counterterrorism potential of your country,” he told the Pakistani delegation.
The Russian Foreign Minister also appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in the fight against terrorism.
“He conveyed Russia’s continued support for enhancing Pakistan’s counterterrorism capabilities,” a Pakistan Foreign Ministry statement said.
Analyst Qamar Cheema told Arab News that Russia is reportedly negotiating with the Afghan Taliban in order to curb Daesh’s influence in the country.
“Russia believes Islamic movements in Central Asia may get impressed by (Daesh’s) ideology, so it is important to curb and eliminate Daesh infrastructure and cells in Afghanistan,” Cheema said.
“That is the reason Russia is reportedly enhancing ties with the Afghan Taliban, so that they could engage Daesh in the country knowing that the Afghan authorities are not capable of fighting Daesh.”
Asif tweeted on Wednesday that his meeting with Lavrov was “very fruitful” and added that “consensus on regional and international issues, particularly Afghanistan… need for close cooperation on counterterrorism and eliminating drug trafficking, better trade and defense relations were discussed.”
At a delegation level meeting in Moscow, the two sides also discussed the prevailing situation in Afghanistan and its implications for the region. They reiterated that there was no military solution to the Afghan conflict and a negotiated settlement through an Afghan-led peace and reconciliation process was the only viable option for lasting peace in the country.
“They agreed to closely coordinate in all Afghanistan-related processes for a regional solution of the Afghan conflict,” the Pakistan Foreign Ministry said.
Russia, Pakistan share fears over Daesh in Afghanistan
Russia, Pakistan share fears over Daesh in Afghanistan
Pakistan president to visit Bahrain today to enhance trade, defense, security cooperation
- Asif Ali Zardari to meet Bahrain’s king and crown prince, discuss regional issues of mutual interest, says state media
- Trade volume between Pakistan, Bahrain has increased from $500 million to $1 billion in recent years, says Pakistan’s FO
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari is scheduled to visit Bahrain today, Tuesday, for a four-day visit aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two nations in trade, defense and security, state media reported.
Zardari will lead a high-level delegation during his visit to Bahrain from Jan. 13-16, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said on Monday. The president will hold talks with King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa and Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa during his visit on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.
“The visit seeks to reinforce Pakistan’s longstanding cooperation with the brotherly Gulf nation while expanding opportunities for collaboration in trade and economic partnership, defense and security and people-to-people ties,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
Pakistan enjoys cordial relations with all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Bahrain. Islamabad and Manama established diplomatic ties in October 1971 after the Gulf country gained independence.
The trade volume between the two countries in recent years has ranged between $500 million to around $1 billion, according to Pakistan’s foreign ministry. Major exports from Pakistan to Bahrain include meat, vegetables, rice, tobacco and textile. Imports from Bahrain, on the other hand, include petroleum products, ferrous wastes and scrape and aluminum.
Pakistan and Bahrain have established a Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) at the level of the foreign ministers to discuss trade and economic ties, take decisions mutually and supervise the implementation of these decisions. So far, only two sessions of the JMC have been held, the last in Bahrain in July 2021.
Zardari’s visit also takes place amid increasing economic engagement between the two nations following the Pakistan-Bahrain Investment Summit in May 2025. Both sides signed contracts worth $13 million during the summit.
