ISLAMABAD: The Quadrilateral Meeting of Special Representatives for Afghanistan, comprising Pakistan, China, Russia and Iran, was convened in Moscow on Tuesday to deliberate on regional peace and security.
The participating states unanimously reaffirmed their commitment to a stable, sovereign and peaceful Afghanistan free from terrorism and external interference. Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq, said on X: “The participating states unanimously reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to a stable, sovereign, and peaceful Afghanistan, underscoring the necessity of a country free from the scourge of terrorism and external intervention.”
He added that a key concern was the continued presence of designated terrorist organisations, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), Jaish al-Adl, Daesh, and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. “In light of this shared threat, the nations emphasised the critical importance of enhanced coordination and collaborative action to combat terrorism in all its manifestations,” Ambassador Sadiq stated. The meeting reaffirmed the shared objective of preventing Afghanistan from again becoming a haven for militant groups and highlighted the importance of sustained regional cooperation to ensure peace and stability.
Ahead of the quadrilateral consultations, Ambassador Sadiq met his Iranian counterpart, Ambassador Muhammad Reza Bahrami, in what he described as a “great meeting”. “We held in-depth discussions on the latest developments in Afghanistan and exchanged views on shared concerns, particularly the persistent threat of terrorism,” he said, adding that “both sides emphasised the importance of continued dialogue and coordination to address common challenges.” He said the two sides also “explored avenues for strengthening bilateral cooperation and enhancing regional engagement to support stability and security.”
In another meeting, Ambassador Sadiq called his discussion with Chinese counterpart Ambassador Yue Xiaoyong “productive”, saying: “We discussed regional security, counter-terrorism cooperation, and humanitarian concerns in Afghanistan, highlighting the importance of a coordinated approach to promote lasting peace and stability in the region.” He noted that the meeting “underscored the strong partnership between Pakistan and China in addressing shared challenges and advancing regional development.”
Ambassador Sadiq also met his Russian counterpart, Ambassador Zamir Kabulov, in Moscow. “The discussions were focused on measures to promote regional cooperation on Afghanistan,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kabul, Ubaid ur Rahman Nizamani, was also present. Moscow’s special representative for the country, Zamir Kabulov said Russia is not considering deploying military personnel to Afghanistan, the TASS state news agency reported. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was set to hold talks in Moscow with his Afghan counterpart later in the day.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has proposed five-point formula for redressing Afghan problems at the 7th “Moscow Format”.
Suggesting five-point formula for redressing Afghan situation, Sadiq Khan said: “As regional partners, we must continue to advocate for adequate funding to meet Afghanistan’s critical humanitarian needs, without any political considerations.
“Second, there is a need for strengthened efforts to help stabilise Afghanistan’s economy and revive its banking systems.
“Third, we must support engagement and dialogue with Afghanistan at relevant regional and multilateral forums. Such engagement must be based on clearly formulated priorities, envisaging concrete and reciprocal steps towards normalisation.
“Fourth, there is a need to support UN-led efforts to counter narcotics and generate alternative livelihoods to create opportunities for a sustainable future for Afghan farmers.
“Fifth, the international community must support Afghanistan’s efforts to resettle returnees from neighbouring countries. Necessary conditions must be created for their re-integration into Afghanistan’s political and social fabric and to enable them to contribute to their country’s development.”
Separately, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi had an extensive meeting with Pakistan’s Special Representative Sadiq Khan in Moscow on Tuesday, wherein they had in-depth discussion about the regional developments. Sadiq Khan said he had constructive discussion with Afghan foreign minister and added he will be visiting Pakistan soon. “Islamabad will suggest slot to Kabul for scheduling the visit of its foreign minister,” he said.
Muttaqi, who is leaving for New Delhi from Moscow tomorrow (Thursday), on his first ever India visit, would be visiting Islamabad soon afterwards for important discussion.