Ishaq Dar urges OIC to press Taliban to end terrorism

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has called on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to pressure the Afghan Taliban to take concrete and verifiable steps to prevent Afghan soil from being used for terrorist attacks against neighboring countries.

Addressing the OIC Contact Group on Afghanistan during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Dar expressed concern regarding the presence of terrorist groups within Afghanistan. He noted that the international community's expectations for the Taliban to eliminate terrorism and promote inclusivity have remained unfulfilled due to what he described as “misplaced priorities and flawed ideologies.”

Dar specifically referenced recent security incidents, such as the attack in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to highlight the necessity of practical measures against militant sanctuaries. Beyond security, the Foreign Minister urged the Afghan authorities to adopt politically inclusive governance, lift restrictions on women and girls, and facilitate the resettlement of Afghan returnees. He also emphasized the need for international funding to address Afghanistan’s ongoing humanitarian and socio-economic challenges.