NEW YORK — Pakistan, China, Iran, and Russia have issued a rare joint warning to Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities, demanding urgent and verifiable action against terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory.
The four-nation declaration came after a quadripartite meeting on Afghanistan, convened by Russia on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Regional alarm over militant groups
The joint statement named Al-Qaeda, the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and other extremist outfits as posing “a serious threat to regional and global security.”
The countries urged Kabul to:
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Dismantle terrorist training camps
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Cut off funding networks
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Block weapons supplies
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Prevent Afghan soil from being used for attacks on neighbors
They stressed that all terror groups must be eliminated “without discrimination,” reflecting growing impatience with the Taliban’s handling of cross-border militancy.
Pakistan’s heightened concerns
The joint warning echoed Pakistan’s recent calls for stronger action. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar earlier this week pressed the Taliban-led interim government to ensure Afghan territory is not exploited for terrorism.
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Taliban seized power in 2021. The porous 2,500-kilometer border between the two countries has complicated efforts to curb cross-border infiltration.
Broader regional issues
The four nations also welcomed Taliban efforts to reduce opium cultivation, but voiced alarm at the rise of synthetic drugs like methamphetamine.
On the humanitarian front, they:
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Urged Kabul to create safe conditions for refugee returns
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Praised Pakistan and Iran for hosting millions of displaced Afghans
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Reiterated calls for an inclusive Afghan political system with protection of women’s rights and equal access to education and public life
Mounting pressure on Kabul
The rare joint stance signals that regional patience is wearing thin as militant groups continue to operate from Afghanistan. Analysts say the declaration increases diplomatic pressure on the Taliban, who face growing international isolation over their counterterrorism record and human rights restrictions.
