ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan’s full membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) under the Taliban government is not currently an option, Pakistan’s ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, has said, citing concerns among some member states over the participation of the interim Afghan government.
Tirmizi said during an interview with a Russian media outlet that Afghanistan was an integral part of the region and an important link between Central and South Asia, expressing hope that the country could eventually become a full member of the regional organisation.
“I hope it happens, because Afghanistan is part of our region and an important link. But given the current regime in Kabul, I do not see this as an option at present,” the ambassador said.
He noted that some SCO member states had reservations about the participation of the Islamic Emirate, making Afghanistan’s full membership difficult under the current circumstances.
Tirmizi stressed that Islamabad wanted to see a stable Afghanistan integrated into regional processes. He said a peaceful and stable Afghanistan could play an important role in developing transit routes and strengthening connectivity between Central and South Asian countries.
The ambassador also confirmed that Pakistan would participate in the Moscow Format consultations on Afghanistan scheduled for October.
“Pakistan will also participate in the Moscow Format consultations on Afghanistan in October. We want to see a stable government in Afghanistan that is part of the region, not a country that causes instability for its neighbours,” Tirmizi said.
His comments come amid continuing regional efforts to engage with Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities while addressing concerns over security, terrorism and regional connectivity.
The Taliban-led interim Afghan government has previously emphasised the importance of having Afghan representatives participate in regional diplomatic and multilateral forums, arguing that Afghanistan’s inclusion is essential for addressing regional political, economic and security issues.
Afghanistan was granted observer status in the SCO in 2012. However, following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, the country’s participation in the organisation has remained constrained, with its engagement in SCO activities facing uncertainty.
The SCO, which brings together major Eurasian countries including China, Russia, Pakistan, India and Iran, has increasingly focused on regional security, economic cooperation, trade, transport links and connectivity.
For Pakistan, an integrated and stable Afghanistan is also strategically important because of its geographic position between South and Central Asia.
Islamabad has repeatedly advocated greater regional connectivity and the development of transit corridors linking the two regions through Afghanistan.
The ambassador’s remarks indicate that while Pakistan continues to support Afghanistan’s eventual integration into regional mechanisms, Islamabad does not currently consider full SCO membership feasible under the Taliban government.
