ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Russia on Thursday called for enhanced coordination among regional countries for a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan.
The call was made during the day-long visit of the Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation on Afghanistan, Ambassador Zamir Kabulov to Pakistan.
The Russian official during the visit discussed the role of neighbouring countries of Afghanistan in promoting regional peace and stability.
According to a Foreign Office statement, Zamir Kabulov held meetings with the Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch and Additional Secretary (Afghanistan and West Asia), Ambassador Ahmad Naseem Warraich.
The two sides exchanged views on relations with Afghanistan and called for enhanced coordination among regional countries for a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan. They also agreed to remain engaged towards this end.
Both Pakistan and Russia face security issues linked to Afghanistan. Russia has expressed concern over Daesh and its attacks, including a concert bombing in Moscow earlier this year was also linked to militants with ties to Afghanistan.
Beyond security, Russia is keen to enhance its influence in Central Asia and engage in Afghanistan’s economic reconstruction, especially in energy and infrastructure projects.
Initiatives such as the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Gas Pipeline and the Trans-Afghan Railway are the key priorities for Moscow.
For Pakistan, peace in Afghanistan is also crucial for regional connectivity. Pakistan has offered Central Asian countries access to its seaports, with the aim of facilitating trade with international markets.
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Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has stated that Pakistan on several occasions and by the countries of the Moscow Format and the neighbouring countries of Afghanistan, it is incumbent on the Afghan authorities to take action against these terror groups.
The spokesperson said that support for these terror groups by any entity, or individual, whether official or private, is unacceptable for Pakistan.
“We would urge Afghan authorities to take Pakistan’s repeated requests seriously and take effective and immediate action against these terror groups,” she said.
