Regional powers urge Pak-Afghan de-escalation

ISLAMABAD:

Senior officials from neighbouring countries as well as Russia have urged Pakistan and Afghanistan to return to dialogue and resolve their differences through diplomatic means.

The call came on Monday at the end of the Tehran conference—a gathering of the special representatives from Iran, Pakistan, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Russia.

The meeting aimed at promoting regional stability and a coordinated approach to the Afghan situation

Iran's Foreign Ministry on Monday issued a statement summarising the deliberations, which reflected broad convergence among regional players on security, economic and political priorities related to Afghanistan.

But, contrary to Pakistan's stance, other participants apparently took a mild position. There was a reference to security concerns, yet at the same time, other participants instead of urging the Taliban regime to eliminate terrorist outfits expressed readiness to work with Kabul.

According to the statement, participants reviewed the latest developments in Afghanistan and stressed the importance of regional convergence and a region-centred approach to addressing the country's challenges.

The meeting took place against the backdrop of continuing humanitarian and economic difficulties in Afghanistan, as well as strained relations between Kabul and Islamabad.

In a key regional signal, the participants expressed support for all efforts aimed at reducing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

They underlined their readiness to help strengthen such initiatives and explicitly urged both sides to return to negotiations and resolve outstanding disputes through diplomatic channels.

On security, the envoys reaffirmed their shared concern over threats emanating from Afghanistan.

While underscoring the need to strengthen stability in the country, they announced their readiness to assist Afghanistan in achieving this objective should the Afghan side request support.

They also declared their preparedness to cooperate with Afghanistan in combating terrorism, drug trafficking and human trafficking, issues that continue to have cross-border implications for the region.

The statement also carried a clear message on foreign involvement in Afghanistan.

The participants opposed any efforts by foreign countries to establish a military presence in the country, reflecting long-standing regional sensitivities following decades of external intervention.

They stressed that countries responsible for the current situation in Afghanistan must contribute to its reconstruction and economic, social recovery, but without turning assistance into a political lever.

Economic stabilization and humanitarian concerns featured prominently in the discussions.

The participants emphasized the responsibility of the international community to lift sanctions imposed on Afghanistan and to unblock its frozen assets.

Warning that continued economic pressure has direct and severe consequences for the Afghan population; they argued that ordinary Afghans should not bear the cost of political disputes.

In this context, the envoys highlighted the importance of continuing economic and trade relations with Afghanistan as a means to improve the livelihoods of its people.

They also stressed the necessity of integrating Afghanistan into regional political and economic processes, suggesting that isolation would only exacerbate instability and humanitarian suffering.

The statement further called on international organizations to play a more active role, particularly in supporting the return of Afghan nationals from neighbouring countries.

Participants emphasized the need to ensure conditions for the dignified, voluntary and sustainable return of refugees, an issue of growing concern for countries in the region hosting large Afghan populations.

The participants agreed that the fifth meeting of foreign ministers of Afghanistan's neighbouring countries should be held as soon as possible in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

Such a meeting, they suggested, would help maintain momentum on regional coordination and provide political-level guidance on Afghanistan-related cooperation.

In addition, the statement welcomed Pakistan's readiness to host the second round of the special envoys' meeting in Islamabad in March next year.