Pakistan blames Afghan-based militants for rising …
Islamabad: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said that banned militant groups, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), are operating from Afghan territory under the protection of the Afghan Taliban.
Speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting, Dar described terrorism originating from Afghanistan as a serious threat to regional peace and stability. He said these militant groups continue to carry out attacks from across the border, posing a major security challenge for Pakistan.
Dar stated that Pakistan has witnessed more than 2,000 terrorist attacks so far this year, resulting in the deaths of over 560 civilians. He also claimed that evidence had emerged linking some Afghan nationals to several of these attacks.
The foreign minister urged SCO member states to call on the Afghan Taliban to fulfill their counterterrorism commitments and prevent Afghan territory from being used by militant organizations.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, Dar said dialogue, diplomacy, and mutual respect remain the only sustainable solutions to regional disputes. He highlighted Pakistan’s role in promoting diplomatic engagement and stressed the importance of supporting ongoing peace initiatives.
Dar also noted that Pakistan hosted talks between Iran and the United States in April 2026, which, according to him, led to the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding in June 2026. He urged the international community to support diplomatic efforts while remaining vigilant against attempts to undermine the peace process.
Looking ahead, Dar said Pakistan will assume the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State in September 2026 and host the SCO Summit in 2027. During its chairmanship, Pakistan plans to prioritize regional connectivity, trade, agricultural cooperation, youth exchanges, and stronger people-to-people ties.
On the sidelines of the SCO meeting, Dar also met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations, regional developments, and efforts to promote peace and stability. Dar emphasized the need for restraint, de-escalation, and continued diplomatic engagement in addressing regional challenges, while both sides agreed to maintain close coordination on issues of mutual interest.