Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday reiterated the need to eliminate the terrorist threat from Afghanistan, saying terrorism emanating from Afghan soil was undermining efforts to promote peace, prosperity and development in the region.
Chairing the 27th Informal Meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, DPM Dar said Pakistan had always sought a peaceful, prosperous and stable Afghanistan that was integrated into the region and at peace with itself and its neighbours.
“Regrettably, the issue of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil undermines these efforts,” he added.
The foreign minister said Pakistan had pursued constructive engagement with the Taliban regime, extending bilateral and transit trade concessions to Afghanistan and making the signing of a framework agreement for a feasibility study on the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) railway project a key priority.
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Remarks by the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 at the Informal Meeting of ECO Council of Ministers Meeting in New York
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 26, 2026
DPM Dar said Pakistan’s expectation was that the Taliban regime would address its security concerns, including through “concrete and verifiable actions” against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and their affiliates.
“These groups continue to threaten Pakistan’s sovereignty and the lives of its citizens,” he said.
He said peace and development in the region could only be achieved with the elimination of the terrorist threat from Afghanistan.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the foreign minister “expressed deep concern over the prevailing security situation in the region and the Middle East, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law.”
Read: Security forces foil Afghan Taliban incursion, kill several terrorists at Balochistan border: state media
DPM Dar underscored the need for ECO member states to “harness their collective potential to promote peace, resilience, and shared prosperity for the region’s nearly half a billion people.”
He also expressed gratitude to ECO member states for “reposing confidence in Pakistan and reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to advancing the organisation’s objectives and strengthening regional cooperation,” the statement by MoFA read.
DPM Dar also outlined Pakistan’s priorities for the ECO chairmanship, including deepening intra-regional trade and economic integration; strengthening connectivity and transit corridors linking Central Asia with the Arabian Sea, advancing a digitally enabled ECO Free Trade Area; and enhancing regional cooperation on climate resilience.
“Pakistan looks forward to working closely with all ECO Member States to translate the Organization’s shared vision into tangible outcomes and further strengthen regional economic cooperation, connectivity, and integration,” MoFA noted.
Read More: Dar holds talks with European FMs on bilateral, regional developments
The meeting was attended by foreign ministers and senior representatives of ECO member states including FM of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov, Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi, Kyrgyz FM Zheenbek Kulubaev, Tajik FM Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Deputy FM of Turkiye Berris Ekinci, Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the UN Vepa Hajiyev, Deputy Permanent Representative of Uzbekistan to the UN Laziz Karaev, and Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Beibut Kulatayev.
The participating ministers and heads of delegation also exchanged views on regional and global developments and expressed support for enhanced regional cooperation. The meeting also provided an opportunity to build momentum towards the 30th ECO Council of Ministers meeting, scheduled to be held in Islamabad in November 2026.
Secretary General of ECO, Dr Asad Majeed Khan, also briefed the council.
