Dar tells SCO Pakistan expects Taliban to stop Afghan soil being used for terrorism

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation on Tuesday that Pakistan had “only one expectation” of the Afghan Taliban regime: that its territory not be used for terrorism against Pakistan or any other country.

Addressing the narrow-format session of the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Dar said sustainable economic development “cannot be guaranteed without durable peace and security in the region”, adding that stability in Afghanistan was “imperative” for regional peace. Tribune Geo

Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Taliban administration in Kabul to dismantle militant sanctuaries on Afghan soil, particularly those linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The Taliban authorities deny the allegations. Dawn Arab News PK Geo reported that Pakistan suffered its highest monthly number of terrorist attacks in 12 years in September 2026.

Beyond security, Dar urged SCO members to accelerate the use of national currencies for mutual settlement and to establish an SCO Development Bank, development fund and investment fund to offset international financial shocks. He promoted the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as a compelling opportunity for every SCO partner, and said artificial intelligence, digital transformation, innovation, energy cooperation and international information security should become pillars of future cooperation. Dawn

Dar, who arrived in Dushanbe on Monday, called on Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on Tuesday on the sidelines of the meeting. Pakistan is scheduled to host the SCO Council of Heads of State summit in Islamabad in August 2027. Dawn Arab News PK