UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan on Tuesday called on the Taliban regime to take concrete and verifiable action to prevent Afghan soil from being used for terrorism against neighbouring countries, particularly Pakistan, warning that the presence of terrorist groups inside Afghanistan remains a serious threat to regional security.
Addressing a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Afghanistan on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed serious concern over the continued presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan and recalled Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
Video of the statement by the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, on the Meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/hZ4Jhg0g8g
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 22, 2026
The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the recent terrorist attack in Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which claimed innocent lives and injured scores of people, describing it as a stark reminder of the grave threat posed by terrorism emanating from the region.
Dar stressed that such attacks underscored the urgent need for concrete action against terrorist groups and their sanctuaries.
The Deputy PM urged the Taliban regime to honour Afghanistan’s international obligations and commitments and end patronage of terrorist groups, while calling for measures to prevent Afghan territory from being used against neighbouring states.
“Pakistan is seriously concerned over the presence of more than two dozen terrorist groups inside Afghanistan, particularly the TTP, BLA and Majeed Brigade, ISIL-K (Daesh), Al-Qaida and ETÍM that threaten regional and international peace and security,” Dar said.
“Our law enforcement agencies are making enormous sacrifices to counter terrorism, as Pakistanis continue to be targeted and martyred by terrorist groups operating with impunity from Afghan soil.”
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 addressed the meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Afghanistan on 22 September 2026 on the sidelines of UNGA, in New York.
The DPM/FM stressed the need for concrete and verifiable action to prevent… pic.twitter.com/3eUVkqIhq7
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 22, 2026
Dar said that after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, it was hoped that the Taliban would honour Afghanistan’s international obligations and their own commitments by eliminating terrorism, promoting inclusivity and protecting the human rights of its citizens. “Regrettably, however, the expectations of the OIC membership and the larger international community have remained unfulfilled.”
“The Taliban have failed to seize the opportunity to integrate Afghanistan with the wider world and to improve the lives of the Afghan people due to their misplaced priorities and flawed ideologies,” Dar said.
“As fellow OIC members, regional partners and neighbours, we can help Afghanistan integrate with the international community. But the Taliban must first take the steps necessary to create a conducive environment,” Dar said.
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Statement by the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, on the Meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Afghanistan
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 22, 2026
The Deputy Prime Minister also called on the Taliban regime to lift restrictions on women and girls that are contrary to Islamic principles and norms of Muslim societies, promote politically inclusive governance, and facilitate the resettlement and integration of Afghan returnees.
Deputy PM Dar further called for adequate international funding to meet Afghanistan’s humanitarian needs and support its socio-economic development.
Dar reiterated Pakistan’s support for a stable, prosperous and peaceful Afghanistan that remains at peace with itself and its neighbours.
Deputy PM Dar thanked Qatar, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia for their mediation and sincere efforts to counsel the Taliban to find amicable solutions.
As a collective voice of the Muslim world, Dar said that the OIC has a vital role in addressing the situation in Afghanistan.
“This Group must urge the Taliban to eliminate terrorism holistically and with sincerity, and end their patronage of terrorist groups. They must not allow Afghan soil to be used for orchestrating terrorist attacks against neighbouring countries,” Dar said.
Deputy PM Dar said that the OIC Contact Group must urge the Taliban to honour their international obligations and commitments and curb trafficking through illegal smuggling networks, including narcotics, weapons and human trafficking.
