Seek Close Engagement with Regional Countries, Says Taliban’s FM

On Friday, members of the Commonwealth of Independent States stressed that terrorist infiltration inside the borders of the Commonwealth of Nations is more in sight than ever.

Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov said that the Commonwealth of Nations has “important tasks ahead and we can achieve our goals by coordinating our actions”.

Earlier in their last meeting, members of the Commonwealth of Independent States had warned that Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) forces had increased in Afghanistan.

On Thursday, the officials of neighbouring countries of Afghanistan including China, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, too, expressed concerns about the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan.

The joint statement of these countries emphasised that all terrorist groups, namely the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Al-Qaeda, the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Jundallah, Jaish al-Adl, Jamaat Ansarullah, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), and other terrorist organisations based in Afghanistan continue to pose a serious threat to regional and global security.

The Samarkand Declaration has been released after the foreign ministers and senior officials of China, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan met on April 13 in Uzbekistan.

They reaffirmed the commitment to the development of Afghanistan as a peaceful, united, sovereign, and independent state, free from the threats of terrorism and drug trafficking.

The countries said that all terrorist groups, namely the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Al-Qaeda, the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Jundallah, Jaish al-Adl, Jamaat Ansarullah, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), and other terrorist organisations based in Afghanistan continue to pose a serious threat to regional and global security.

However, they also mentioned that all neighbours would work together for a counter-terrorism strategy.

The issue of drug menace had also been discussed and called for support for the development of drug crop substitution programs, as well as for combating drug production and trafficking.

The foreign ministers of the participant countries also stressed on the need for the international community to maintain dialogue and communication with Afghanistan and called for further measures to improve the living conditions of the people.

While expressing concern about the humanitarian situation and the poor economic situation in the country, the countries said that they would provide humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people and support the economic reconstruction of Afghanistan.

They also stressed on the importance of cooperation on major international energy, transport, communication, infrastructure, and other projects implemented by neighbouring countries for socio-economic development of Afghanistan.

Speaking during the Samarkand meeting, she expressed concerns about signs of decline in the international humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and urged the international community to reconsider their approach towards Afghanistan and the Taliban.

The MoS stressed that the ban on the right to work and education of Afghan women has created a deadlock in the Taliban’s relations with the world. She expressed regrets about the recent Taliban’s decisions, however, she asked western countries not to forget Afghanistan.

Western countries and the Taliban accuse one another of violating the commitments that led to the Doha Agreement.

While the Western countries want the Taliban to form an inclusive government and observe human rights, the Taliban, demands international recognition and the lifting of economic sanctions.

Although Pakistan has close relations with the Taliban, the Pakistan deputy foreign minister said that Pakistan and other neighbouring countries are facing the threat of terrorism from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

AFF stated that the Taliban have conducted arrest operations in Kapisa, Parwan, Panjshir, and Kabul provinces.

AFF added that the Taliban prevented the funeral prayers for the dead personnel of the front.

Earlier, AFF confirmed that six members of the front had been killed by the Taliban in Southern Salang, and the fate of Akmal Amir, the military commander of this front, is not known yet.

Media reports had also indicated that the Taliban had arrested relatives of the dead AFF forces in Kabul and Kapisa provinces.

AFF said that it has started its spring offensive against the Taliban across the country and launched special operations in Kabul, Parwan, Kapisa, and Panjshir provinces. This front claimed that dozens of Taliban forces have been killed and wounded in these operations.

The Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran told reporters that during the second round of this quadrilateral meeting, the foreign ministers discussed the crisis that has emerged due to continued sanctions imposed on Afghanistan.

According to Abdollahian, the foreign ministers also discussed drug trafficking from Afghanistan, its impacts on regional countries particularly Iran, and the responsibilities of the Taliban.

The foreign ministers of Iran, China, Russia, and Pakistan also issued a joint statement in which it has been said that terrorist groups including Islamic State – Khorasan (IS-K), Al-Qaeda, East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army, Jaish-ul-Adl and other terrorist groups based in Afghanistan are serious threats to regional and global security.

The statement urged the Taliban to establish an "inclusive government with the practical participation of all ethnic groups and reverse the restrictions imposed on Afghan women and ethnic minorities."

The statement also stated that the foreign ministers are against the re-establishment of military bases in and around Afghanistan and do not consider it useful for regional peace and stability.

The foreign ministers of Russia, China, Iran, and Pakistan emphasised that Afghanistan should monitor and prevent illegal cross-border activities.

According to the statement, transboundary issues related to Afghanistan, including the water issue with the neighbours, should be addressed through dialogue and consultation.

The statement also added that the Taliban should take effective measures to protect the safety, security, and legitimate rights of foreign entities and citizens in Afghanistan.

The Samarkand meeting kicked off today in Uzbekistan.

The foreign ministers of Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan have been invited to this meeting.