Speaking at a high-level forum in Turkmenistan dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust 2025, the International Day of Neutrality, and the 30th Anniversary of Turkmenistan’s status of permanent neutrality, Sharif said the region is once again facing a rising threat.

“The scourge of terrorism is raising its head yet again, and this time unfortunately from Afghan soil,” he stated. “As we are dealing with this menace, we need the international community to urge the Afghan Taliban regime (IEA) to fulfil its international obligations and commitments and rein in terrorist elements operating from its territory.”

Sharif also expressed appreciation for regional countries that have been working to de-escalate conflicts and promote stability.

“We are very grateful to our brotherly countries — Qatar, Turkey, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Iran — for their sincere desire and efforts to achieve a permanent ceasefire, which as I speak is still very fragile,” he added.

Pakistani officials have repeatedly claimed that attacks in the country are organized by militants operating from Afghan soil.

The Islamic Emirate, however, denies the allegation, saying it cannot be held responsible for security in Pakistan.

Trade between the two countries was halted on October 11 following airstrikes in Afghanistan and clashes near the Durand Line.

Türkiye stands ready to help sustain the truce between Pakistan and Afghanistan, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif during their meeting on Friday on the sidelines of the International Peace and Trust Forum in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

According to Türkiye’s Directorate of Communications, Erdogan said Ankara is committed to strengthening its “good relations” with Islamabad and will work to deepen cooperation in energy, trade and investment.

Welcoming the recent extension of the Pakistan-Afghanistan ceasefire, Erdogan noted Ankara’s readiness to contribute to the mechanism established to maintain the absence of conflict.

Pakistani officials have repeatedly claimed that attacks in the country are organized by militants operating from Afghan soil.

The Islamic Emirate, however, denies the allegation, saying it cannot be held responsible for security in Pakistan.

Trade between the two countries was halted on October 11 following airstrikes in Afghanistan and clashes near the Durand Line.

A delegation of Tajikistani investors has expressed interest in establishing a cement production factory in Afghanistan, signaling renewed economic engagement between the two neighbors after four years of limited activity.

The delegation met with Hedayatullah Badri, Afghanistan’s Minister of Mines and Petroleum, to discuss potential investment opportunities in the country’s mining and industrial sectors. Officials said the visit reflects Tajikistan’s increasing willingness to expand economic cooperation with Afghanistan.

During the meeting, the Tajik investors praised the Islamic Emirate for what they described as improved security and a more conducive investment environment across Afghanistan.

Minister Badri welcomed the investors’ proposal and assured them of the government’s full support, emphasizing that Afghanistan is ready to facilitate investment through streamlined procedures and favorable conditions.

Representatives of Afghanistan’s private sector also view the development as a positive step toward strengthening bilateral economic ties.

Abdul Jabbar Safi, head of the Afghanistan Industries Association, said:
“After four years, Tajikistan is looking to take part in Afghanistan’s economic sector. This is encouraging news for the governments and the people of both countries.”

Economic experts believe that deeper economic engagement between Afghanistan and Tajikistan could unlock significant mutual benefits.

Nazir Ahmad Khalil, an economic analyst, said: “Tajikistan and Afghanistan share language, culture and geography. Expanding trade and investment between the two countries can meaningfully improve their economic situations. Building trust will be essential for long-term cooperation, and such investment can play a major role in poverty reduction and confidence-building.”

This new chapter of economic cooperation between Afghanistan and Tajikistan comes at a time when, since the return of the Islamic Emirate to power, several major projects have been launched between Afghanistan and Central Asian states.

The leadership of the Islamic Emirate has repeatedly emphasized that it seeks to strengthen economic relations with neighboring countries, the region, and the wider world on the basis of mutual respect.