Islamabad:
At their meeting in Russia, key regional countries have urged the interim Afghan government to take effective measures to “destroy, eliminate and prevent the deployment of all types of terrorist groups” based in Afghanistan.
The joint call for effective action against all terrorist groups was part of the declaration issued after the latest Moscow Format meeting held in the Russian city of Kazan on Friday.
However, a statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry clearly stated, “Any withdrawal of US and NATO military formations to the territory of Afghanistan or its neighboring states under any pretext was unacceptable.”
The fifth meeting of the Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan was attended by special representatives and senior officials from 13 countries, including Pakistan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
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The acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan also attended the meeting. Representatives of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Turkey were present as guests of honour. The forum was established in 2017 to develop a regional consensus on the way forward for Afghanistan.
The last meeting was held in November 2022 where the interim Afghan government was asked to take steps towards establishing an inclusive government.
This year the interim Afghan Foreign Minister was invited to the meeting. Pakistan was represented by its special envoy to Afghanistan Asif Durrani.
The joint declaration issued after the meeting said the parties expressed concern over the difficult security situation in Afghanistan due to the intensification of the activities of terrorist groups, primarily the Islamic State. However, he praised the current Afghan authorities for the serious fight against IS and urged them to do the same against all terrorist groups.
Additionally, they called on the current Afghan authorities to take effective measures to dismantle, dismantle and prevent the deployment of all types of terrorist groups based in Afghanistan and prevent the country from becoming a hotspot of terrorism and instability and spreading regionally. Did. State. Although the Afghan Taliban may have taken action against Daesh, groups such as the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have gained strength in Afghanistan.
Pakistan has been expressing concern over lack of action against TTP.
Sources said the joint call to take effective action against all groups was made at the request of Pakistan. The joint declaration called on current Afghan authorities to enhance cooperation with regional countries in the fight against the threats of terrorism and drug trafficking emanating from Afghan territory.
Most participants stressed their opposition to the support of terrorism by external forces in Afghanistan. He noted reports of a decline in poppy cultivation in Afghanistan due to successful steps taken by the Afghan authorities. They stressed the importance of continuing a realistic and effective anti-drug policy, including against industrial drug production, which represents a serious and dangerous growth.
However, he expressed regret that no progress has been made in Afghanistan in forming a truly inclusive government that reflects the interests of all ethno-political groups in the country.
“Despite the appointment of some individual representatives of different Afghan ethnicities in the Kabul administration, the parties did not see any political pluralism in it. Once again urge the current Afghan authorities to establish a pragmatic, result-oriented dialogue with alternative ethno-political representatives The group aims to complete the process of peaceful resolution and create a balanced, more broad-based, inclusive, accountable and responsible government in Afghanistan.
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He urged the Afghan authorities to provide the necessary conditions to improve the welfare of the Afghan people, prevent their further migration, and provide conditions for the return of refugees.
Participants spoke for respect for fundamental rights and freedoms in Afghanistan, including equal rights to work, education and justice without discrimination as to gender, ethnicity or religion. He stressed his concern about restrictions placed on women’s employment and girls’ education and urged the promotion of modern education in schools in line with international standards.
The majority of Moscow Format participants noted the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to coordinate actions between international and regional partners on the Afghan track during the Special Representatives meeting in Doha in May 2023.
He observed that cooperation with non-regional players is possible if the US-led Western coalition, whose 20-year-old actions led to the current crisis in Afghanistan, recognizes its responsibility for the post-conflict reconstruction of the country and Afghans. Frees. Immediately remove national assets and unilateral sanctions.
The parties advocated making Afghanistan an independent, united and peaceful state.
He underlined the unacceptability of the deployment of military infrastructure of third countries in Afghanistan and its neighboring states under any pretext. He stressed the need to strengthen bilateral and multilateral economic ties, appreciating the prospects for development of regional economic projects with Afghanistan’s participation.
The parties reaffirmed their opposition to efforts to politicize humanitarian assistance, highlighting the importance of continuing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
He expressed his interest in enhancing engagement with the current Afghan authorities in the areas of culture, sports and education.
The parties took note of Iran’s proposal to strengthen regional cooperation on Afghanistan by establishing a regional contact group to discuss issues of common interest.
