Moscow Meeting Stresses Need for an Afghanistan Free of Terrorism and Foreign Interference
WANA (Oct 07) – Pakistan’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq Khan, stated that participants of today’s “Moscow Format” meeting—comprising Iran, Russia, China, and Pakistan—emphasized the necessity of an Afghanistan free from terrorism and foreign intervention.
In a post on his account on the social platform X, Sadiq Khan wrote: “The quadrilateral meeting of special envoys on Afghanistan from Pakistan, China, Russia, and Iran was held in Moscow to discuss issues of peace and regional security.”
He added that the participating countries unanimously reaffirmed their enduring commitment to a stable, independent, and peaceful Afghanistan, and underscored the importance of ridding the country of the scourge of terrorism and foreign interference.
According to Sadiq Khan, one of the main concerns discussed was the continued presence of terrorist organizations such as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), Jaish al-Adl, ISIS, and al-Qaeda.
He noted that given this shared threat, members of the Moscow Format stressed the vital importance of enhanced coordination and joint action to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
The Pakistani envoy held separate meetings in Moscow yesterday with his Iranian, Russian, and Chinese counterparts.
The seventh consultative meeting of the so-called Moscow Format began today (Tuesday) behind closed doors, with the participation of Russia’s Foreign Minister.
According to the spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry, the key priorities of this meeting include promoting national reconciliation in Afghanistan and expanding practical cooperation between regional countries and Kabul in the political, economic, counterterrorism, and counternarcotics fields. A joint statement is expected to be issued at the conclusion of the talks.
The seventh Moscow Format meeting on Afghanistan marks the first such gathering since Russia’s decision to officially recognize the Taliban government.
Earlier this year, Russia accepted the credentials of the new Afghan ambassador in Moscow, becoming the first country to formally recognize the Taliban administration.
Mohammad Reza Bahrami, Director General for South Asia at Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, heads the Iranian delegation at the Moscow meeting.
China, Iran, Pakistan, and Russia Call for Stability and Inclusive Governance in Afghanistan. Social media /WANA News Agency
