Terrorism From Afghanistan Threatens Regional Stability: Dar

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said lasting peace and development in the region cannot be achieved until the threat of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan is eliminated.

Addressing the 27th Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in New York, Dar said terrorism originating from Afghan soil was undermining efforts towards regional peace, stability and development.

“Without eliminating the threat of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan, peace and development in the region will not be possible,” Dar said.

He said Pakistan wanted a peaceful, prosperous and stable Afghanistan and had sought constructive engagement with the Taliban government. Islamabad had also facilitated bilateral transit trade for Afghanistan, he added.

Dar said Pakistan’s only expectation from the Taliban government was that it address Islamabad’s legitimate security concerns.

He also highlighted regional connectivity and economic integration, saying ECO member states needed to move from dialogue towards practical measures to make regional cooperation more effective.

According to Dar, intra-ECO trade currently accounts for around 8 per cent of the region’s total trade, despite the bloc representing a population of nearly 500 million people.

He called for accelerating key connectivity projects linking Central Asia with ports on the Arabian Sea, saying Pakistan was ready to serve as a gateway for the wider region.

Dar also highlighted the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway project, saying the signing of its framework agreement had remained a priority for Pakistan.

The foreign minister expressed concern over the prevailing security situation in the region and the Middle East and said Pakistan remained committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law.

On climate change, Dar warned that it posed a serious threat to the region’s water security, agriculture and livelihoods. He called for greater cooperation on climate-resilient infrastructure and sustainable energy.

Dar said Pakistan would continue to prioritise regional economic integration and greater intra-regional trade, including progress towards activating and digitalising an ECO free trade area and improving access to markets across the region.