ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan’s neighboring states expressed concern over the presence of militant groups in the war-torn country during a recent conference held in Samarkand, said the foreign office of Pakistan on Friday, saying they all agreed that armed outfits posed a threat to regional stability.
The Fourth Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan’s Neighboring States was held on April 13 in Samarkand and attended by senior diplomats from China, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and the host country Uzbekistan.
The meeting focused on a wide range of issues while reaffirming the region’s commitment to the development of Afghanistan as a peaceful, sovereign and independent country that was free from terrorism and drug trafficking.
“The Parties noted that the terrorism-related security situation in Afghanistan was still severe and reaffirmed their commitment to enhance cooperation on counter-terrorism and security among neighboring countries and to develop a united front against terrorism,” said the statement.
It named several militant entities, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), while noting their continued presence in Afghanistan posed “a serious threat to regional and global security.”
Pakistan, which has witnessed a surge in militant attacks since last November, has already taken up the issue with the Taliban administration in Afghanistan, asking its leaders not to allow their soil to be used by these groups against other countries.
The conference in Samarkand also emphasized the importance of building an inclusive and broad-based governance system in Afghanistan that catered to the interest of all segments of Afghan society.
Additionally, it urged the international community to maintain dialogue and communication with Afghanistan while asking the administration in Kabul to respect the rights of its citizens, particularly women and children.
“The Parties noted the key role of the United Nations in providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, calling on the international community to intensify emergency humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan,” added the statement.