Islamabad Conference Demands Regional Diplomacy to Tackle Afghan-Sourced Terrorism
Pakistan and Afghanistan can no longer afford further conflict, confrontation, and instability in the region, former Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed stated during his keynote concluding address at the International Conference on Afghan Predicament and Trajectory to Peace in Islamabad. The two-day conference, organised by the International Parliamentarians Congress (IPC) on September 29 and 30, drew regional stakeholders to address cross-border terrorism and security challenges originating from Afghan soil.
Sayed argued that terrorism emanating from Afghanistan is not merely a bilateral dispute between Islamabad and Kabul, but a wider regional security crisis requiring a collective response from all of Afghanistan’s neighbours. The conference declaration asserted that the current Taliban administration is neither inclusive nor representative, with Maria Sultan, president of the South Asian Strategic Stability Institute, presenting the final statement that noted Afghanistan faces a dual crisis of an unrepresentative government and safe havens for militant networks.
Regional Security Implications Across Central Asia and China
Violent extremism originating from Afghanistan impacts Pakistan, Iran, China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Russia, according to conference proceedings. Participants warned that more than 20 armed groups maintain safe havens inside Afghanistan, threatening regional stability.
To combat these threats, the conference called for a joint monitoring mechanism involving the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to assess commitments regarding militant financing, recruitment, and safe havens. Russian Professor Vladimir Sotnikov proposed establishing a Peace Board comprising Russia and all six neighbours of Afghanistan to formulate a collective counter-terrorism strategy.
Pakistan Accuses Afghan Taliban of Harboring Militant Groups
The Islamabad conference highlighted sharp contrasts between current regional anxieties and historical alignments. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the United Nations General Assembly, accusing the Afghan Taliban of harboring groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Balochistan Liberation Army. Reports point to a historical parallel, noting that Islamabad previously supported militant networks like the Haqqani network during past decades, complicating diplomacy now that Pakistan faces security threats from across the border.
Kabul Seeks Dialogue Mechanism with Pakistan
Despite ongoing security friction, recent developments suggest potential diplomatic avenues. Sayed pointed to reports from Pakistani journalists who recently returned from Kabul after meeting with Afghan Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, indicating that the regime in Kabul recognizes the problem of terrorism and desires to establish a dialogue mechanism with Pakistan.
The IPC conference built upon previous Track 1.5 Dialogues in Istanbul, which Senator Sitara Ayaz, Secretary General of the IPC, participated in alongside Turkish intermediaries. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently described Pakistan and Afghanistan as inseparable brothers, echoing sentiments from Turkish interlocutors who advocate for sustained regional diplomacy.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Islamabad Peace Conference
What specific organisations and countries participated in the Islamabad conference?
The event was organized by the International Parliamentarians Congress in Islamabad and brought together regional experts, parliamentarians, and strategic figures from Pakistan and neighbouring nations to discuss security and stability.
What did the conference declare regarding the Taliban government in Kabul?
The final conference statement asserted that the Taliban administration is non-inclusive, unrepresentative, and fails to represent the broader population of Afghanistan, specifically excluding women and minorities from governance.
Which militant groups were specifically named in connection to cross-border attacks?
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif specifically named Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Balochistan Liberation Army during the United Nations General Assembly discussions regarding security threats facing Pakistan.
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