Taliban Ask Russia To Help Restore Their SCO Observer Role

In a post on X on Wednesday, Sadiq Khan said Pakistan and Iran were committed to working with regional partners to address shared security concerns, particularly terrorism, and to promote peace and stability. He described the meeting as a useful opportunity to exchange views on recent regional developments.

The talks took place as tensions have again risen along Afghanistan’s eastern border, where Pakistan has recently carried out strikes on targets inside the country.

Earlier, Sadiq met Yusuf Sharifzoda, Tajikistan’s ambassador to Islamabad, for discussions on Afghanistan and efforts to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday, Ataullah Tarar said four suspects had been arrested within 48 hours of the blast. He said one of the detainees had confessed that the attackers entered Pakistan from Afghanistan and received training there.

According to Tarar, the suspect also claimed that both the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the TTP were involved in planning the attack. He said investigators had found evidence indicating that the operation was directed by TTP leader Noor Wali Mehsud through a commander known as Dadullah inside Afghanistan, who then coordinated with an associate named Sajidullah in Pakistan. Tarar said Sajidullah, described as the main suspect, had previously been a member of the Afghan Taliban.

The explosion near Islamabad’s judicial complex killed at least 12 people and injured 27 others. The attack took place shortly before noon on Tuesday, 11 November, in the G-11 area of the capital. Officials said the blast’s impact set several nearby vehicles on fire. Tarar added that heightened security measures prevented the bomber from reaching his intended targets.

One day after the attack, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told Parliament that India and the Afghan Taliban were involved. The Taliban authorities have not yet responded to the latest accusations but have previously dismissed similar claims, describing Pakistan’s security challenges as “an internal matter.”

In a statement on Wednesday, the court said the punishments were carried out in the presence of judicial, military and civilian officials, local elders, court visitors and members of the public.

According to recent Taliban court announcements, at least 66 people have been flogged nationwide over the past two weeks.

Despite strong opposition from international organisations to corporal punishment and the mistreatment of detainees, the Taliban continues to administer public floggings, describing the practice as the “implementation of Islamic Sharia.”

Khawaja Asif acknowledged that he had once welcomed the Taliban’s return to power, but said any hopes Pakistan held at the time had now disappeared.

In an interview with Geo News on Tuesday, Asif said the Taliban’s behaviour had not changed and that the group was “leading Afghanistan towards destruction.”

Rejecting Taliban claims that Pakistan carried out airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan on Monday night, he insisted that Islamabad had not conducted such operations and said Pakistan’s military was a disciplined force that would not target civilians. He argued that Pakistan’s conduct could not be compared to that of the Taliban, whom he accused of lacking a code of conduct, religion or tradition.

Asif said Pakistan sought regional peace and stability, adding that the continued tensions served no interest. He noted that he is now mocked for a past social-media post expressing support for the Taliban after the signing of the US–Taliban Doha agreement, saying his earlier optimism had faded.

He added that if the Taliban sought alternative trade routes or closer ties with India, Pakistan would not object.

Tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban have sharply escalated since the reports of airstrikes in Khost, Kunar and Paktika on Monday night. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accused Pakistan of carrying out the attacks and warned that the group would “respond at the appropriate time,” while Pakistan’s military has denied any involvement.

According to the Taliban, Azizi will also take part in the opening ceremony of the Halal Expo 2025 and is expected to hold discussions with members of Türkiye’s private sector. The meetings will focus on attracting investment to Afghanistan.

ECO is a regional organisation aimed at strengthening economic, trade, cultural and technical cooperation among its member states.

Azizi’s visit follows his recent and politically sensitive trip to India, during which he said agreements had been reached on the use of Iran’s Chabahar Port, the issuance of Indian medical visas and the resumption of cargo flights.