NEW YORK: A ministerial meeting of the Quadrilateral Group—comprising Pakistan, China, Iran, and Russia—expressed serious concerns about security challenges emanating from Afghanistan. The group emphasized that terrorist organizations operating in the war-torn country pose significant threats to both regional and global security.
Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has experienced a notable increase in militant attacks, particularly in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and southwestern Balochistan, which borders both Afghanistan and Iran.
According to data from the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), these provinces saw a sharp rise in violent incidents, with attacks increasing from 38 in July to 59 in August. This included 29 attacks in KP, 28 in Balochistan, and two in Punjab.
The Islamabad government has repeatedly urged the Taliban to prevent their territory from being used by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups to launch attacks against Pakistan.
The quadrilateral meeting took place on September 27 during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif represented Pakistan, while foreign ministers from China, Russia, and Iran participated.
During the discussions, the ministers highlighted that groups such as Daesh, Al-Qaida, and the TTP continue to threaten regional and global security. They condemned recent attacks in Afghanistan and the region, including assaults by Daesh on Karbala pilgrims and TTP attacks in Pakistan.
The ministers stressed the importance of cooperative security measures, calling for enhanced counter-terrorism collaboration at both bilateral and multilateral levels. They urged the Afghan Taliban to take concrete actions to fulfill their international obligations in combating terrorism.
Furthermore, the group reaffirmed their support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and the right of its people to determine their future independently, while also advocating for conditions that would facilitate the return of Afghan refugees and ensure their reintegration into society.
The ministers called on the international community to provide sustained financial support for the repatriation of refugees and to bolster peace and stability in Afghanistan as part of their shared regional interests.
