Pakistan has consistently drawn the attention of the international community towards the unresolved Afghan crisis and the growing threat posed by terrorist organisations operating from Afghan territory. The issue was once again highlighted by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, where he warned that the region stands on the brink of a serious security challenge. His remarks reflected Pakistan’s long-standing concerns that militant networks are regrouping and exploiting instability, while meaningful action against these groups remains insufficient.
The reality on the ground remains deeply concerning. Regional countries, the United Nations and several international research organisations have repeatedly raised concerns about the presence and activities of groups such as Al-Qaeda, the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant organisations operating in and around Afghanistan. These groups continue to pose a threat not only to Pakistan but also to Central Asian states and wider regional security. Any failure by the international community to acknowledge and address this challenge risks allowing extremist networks to expand their influence and undermine decades of efforts aimed at promoting peace and development.
During the SCO meeting, Dar cited more than 560 civilian deaths in over 2,000 terrorist incidents this year, stressing the need for a stronger and more coordinated counterterrorism framework for South and Central Asia. However, regional commitments have yet to translate into effective action. Counterterrorism cannot remain a matter of individual national responsibility; the evolving nature of militant networks requires collective intelligence-sharing, coordinated border management and sustained diplomatic engagement among neighbouring countries.
A central responsibility rests with Afghanistan’s ruling authorities, who must fulfil the commitments they made under the 2020 Doha Agreement, including preventing Afghan territory from being used against other countries. Durable peace and regional stability will remain difficult to achieve unless there is a genuine effort to eliminate safe havens for terrorist groups and ensure that Afghan soil is not used to threaten neighbouring states.
The consequences of instability extend beyond security concerns. Major regional connectivity and economic initiatives, including CASA-1000, the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, projects linked to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and proposed transnational railway networks, have faced delays due to Afghanistan’s uncertain security environment. The continuation of instability has restricted economic integration and slowed development opportunities for a region representing nearly two billion people.
Pakistan used the SCO platform to highlight that regional instability threatens not only peace but also economic cooperation and the sovereignty of member states. The organisation, which brings together key regional powers, has a crucial role to play in developing a coordinated response to shared security challenges. However, meaningful progress will require political will, mutual trust and a commitment by all stakeholders to address the root causes of instability.
The Afghan crisis cannot be managed through short-term measures or selective engagement. Lasting peace will require sustained regional cooperation, responsible governance and decisive action against militant groups. The international community must recognise that ignoring security threats today will only make them more difficult and costly to address tomorrow. Stability in Afghanistan is not merely an Afghan issue; it is central to the security, connectivity and prosperity of the entire region.
Shafaqna Pakistan
pakistan.shafaqna.com
Note: Shafaqna do not endorse the views expressed in the article
