Pakistan, China, Iran, Russia raise alarm over security threats from Afghanistan

New York: Pakistan, China, Iran, and Russia have expressed deep concern over the growing security challenges emerging from Afghanistan, warning that terrorist groups operating in the country pose a "serious threat to both regional and global security."

The warning came during a quadrilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session on September 27.

According to a joint statement issued on Sunday, the four nations pointed to groups such as Daesh, Al-Qaida, the Eastern Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), Jaish ul-Adl, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as major threats. The meeting highlighted a disturbing rise in terrorist activities in Afghanistan and neighboring regions, including deadly attacks in Pakistan.

Recent data from the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) revealed a sharp increase in violent incidents, with the number of attacks rising from 38 in July to 59 in August. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) saw 29 attacks, Balochistan 28, and Punjab 2. Islamabad has repeatedly called on Kabul’s interim government to prevent militant groups, particularly the TTP, from using Afghan soil for attacks on Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, who represented the country at the meeting, alongside foreign ministers from China, Russia, and Iran, reiterated the need for urgent action. The ministers condemned recent terrorist incidents, such as Daesh's attack on Karbala pilgrims on September 13, 2024, and TTP's assaults in Bannu and Besham earlier this year.

The meeting underscored the importance of tackling terrorism comprehensively, urging Afghanistan to take "visible and verifiable actions" to dismantle all terrorist groups without discrimination. "Afghanistan must prevent the use of its territory against its neighbors, the region, and the world," the statement urged.

In addition to counterterrorism measures, the four countries reaffirmed their commitment to Afghanistan's national sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity. They emphasized that Afghanistan should not become a battleground for geopolitical competition but a platform for international cooperation.

The leaders also urged Afghan authorities to create favorable conditions for the return of refugees and to address the root causes of migration. According to UN figures, over 500,000 undocumented Afghan refugees have returned from Pakistan since the repatriation campaign began last year.

The ministers called on the international community to provide consistent financial support for the repatriation and reintegration of Afghan refugees, particularly those hosted by Pakistan and Iran.

The statement concluded by emphasizing that regional peace, stability, and efforts to combat terrorism and drug crime are in the common interests of all countries involved.