Latest News
SCO state leaders say inclusive govt vital for lasting peace in Afghanistan
The SCO leaders also said they are ready to support efforts to normalize the situation in Afghanistan
Leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member countries said Thursday that the establishment of an inclusive government in Afghanistan is needed for lasting peace in the country.
In a joint statement, the heads of SCO member states said after a two-day meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, an inclusive government needs the broad participation of representatives of all ethnic and political groups and that this was the only way to achieve long-lasting peace in Afghanistan.
This two-day meeting, which started on Wednesday focused on the situation in Afghanistan, security cooperation and Central Asian countries.
The SCO leaders also said they are ready to support efforts to normalize the situation in Afghanistan.
“The member states expressed their readiness to support the efforts of the international community to ensure peace and development in Afghanistan,” the joint statement read.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also announced he supports the start of a contact group of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization – Afghanistan.
He added that SCO has traditionally been involved in Afghanistan’s problems.
Tajikistan’s President, Emomali Rahman, also emphasized in the meeting that establishing peace and stability in Afghanistan is in the interest of all SCO member countries.
RELATED STORIES
Tajikistan stands against IEA’s inclusion in SCO activities: Russia
Pakistan’s foreign minister calls for revival of SCO contact group for Afghanistan
Latest News
IEA condemns explosion in Islamabad
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has strongly condemned the explosion in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, as well as the attack on an educational center in Wana, which resulted in the deaths and injuries of dozens of people.
Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Tuesday expressed the Islamic Emirate’s condolences following this attack.
Latest News
Afghanistan and Kazakhstan pledge deeper cooperation in trade and technology during phone talks
During the call, Minister Kosherbayev expressed his condolences to the Afghan people following the recent devastating earthquakes.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, held a telephone conversation with Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister, Yermek Kosherbayev, to discuss strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry announced.
During the call, Minister Kosherbayev expressed his condolences to the Afghan people following the recent devastating earthquakes and said Kazakhstan would dispatch a humanitarian mission to Kabul, including medical personnel, medicines, and essential supplies.
Muttaqi thanked Kazakhstan for its continued support and noted that two humanitarian aid consignments—amounting to 3,700 tons—had already been delivered to Afghanistan this year.
Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, banking, mining, and digital technologies, and agreed to maintain regular political dialogue aimed at deepening friendly relations between the two countries.
Latest News
Pakistan PM says peace depends on Kabul curbing militants
Sharif also commended Türkiye and Qatar for their role in facilitating peace talks between Pakistan and the IEA, adding that “a peaceful Afghanistan holds the key to regional connectivity, peace, and prosperity.”
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) must ensure that militant groups operating from Afghan soil are restrained, emphasizing that regional peace depends on it.
“Afghanistan must understand that lasting peace can only be realized by reining in Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and other terrorist groups operating from its territory,” the prime minister said while addressing the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference in Islamabad.
He noted that the theme of the conference, Peace, Security and Development, was both timely and relevant, especially for Pakistan, which has long advocated for peace through dialogue and diplomacy.
“We firmly believe that peace and security form the foundation of sustainable national and regional development,” he said, adding that “the true value of peace is most profoundly understood when we are confronted with conflicts that continue to plague our world.”
Referring to recent clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Shehbaz described Islamabad’s response as “firm and decisive,” saying it had delivered “an unforgettable lesson.”
He also commended Türkiye and Qatar for their role in facilitating peace talks between Pakistan and the IEA, adding that “a peaceful Afghanistan holds the key to regional connectivity, peace, and prosperity.”
“Peace has remained elusive for decades, but Pakistan has never lost hope,” the prime minister said. “We believe in a peaceful neighborhood and continue to strive toward that goal.”
His remarks came just days after the third round of talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Istanbul ended without agreement. Negotiators, with mediation from Türkiye and Qatar, failed to bridge differences on mechanisms to monitor and prevent cross-border terrorism.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif later stated that the negotiations were “over” and had “entered an indefinite phase.” He added that while the ceasefire remained in place, any violation “from their side” would be met with a “befitting response.”
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed that three senior Turkish officials are expected to visit Islamabad this week to discuss tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
-
Latest News4 days agoIndia to establish agricultural research center in Afghanistan
-
Sport4 days agoAfghanistan to host West Indies for three-match T20I series in January 2026
-
Latest News4 days agoPakistan urges Islamic Emirate to relocate TTP to Afghanistan, sources say
-
Sport4 days agoAfghanistan crush Nepal, South Africa in Hong Kong Sixes
-
Latest News3 days agoIslamic Development Bank to build standard cardiac hospital in Kabul
-
Sport3 days agoMorocco defeats Afghanistan 4–0 in Islamic Solidarity Games futsal tournament
-
Latest News3 days agoParande hydropower dam in Panjshir fully completed
-
World4 days agoUS military to establish presence at Damascus airbase – Reuters



