Dar calls on OIC to urge Taliban to eliminate terrorism 'with sincerity'

On Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to urge the Afghan Taliban to eliminate terrorism with sincerity. Dar made the plea during a meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Afghanistan, held at the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

He reminded attendees of the US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, describing it as a "watershed moment" for the country. Dar recounted how Pakistan opened its doors to Afghan refugees and hosted the 17th Extraordinary Session of the OIC-CFM in December 2021, aiming to garner solidarity and international support for Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis.

However, Dar expressed disappointment that the Taliban had not fulfilled expectations of honouring Afghanistan's international obligations and committing to eliminating terrorism, promoting inclusivity, and protecting human rights. He criticized the Taliban's misplaced priorities and flawed ideologies, stating that they had failed to leverage the opportunity to integrate Afghanistan with the wider world and improve the lives of its citizens.

Dar emphasized that the foremost requirement for Pakistan and other OIC members was concrete and verifiable actions from the Taliban to prevent Afghan soil from being used for terrorist attacks against neighboring countries. He specifically mentioned the threats posed by over two dozen terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan, including the TTP, BLA, Majeed Brigade, ISIL-K, Al-Qaida, and ETIM.

Dar commended Pakistan's law enforcement agencies for their efforts to counter terrorism and highlighted the humanitarian crisis caused by the continuous targeting of Pakistanis by terrorist groups operating with impunity from Afghan soil. He thanked Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia for their mediation efforts, urging the OIC to call on the Taliban to take several steps, including eliminating terrorism, ending patronage of terrorist groups, and lifting restrictions on women and girls that contradict Islamic principles and Muslim society's norms.

Dar also called for the Taliban to reconsider policies denying fundamental freedoms to Afghans and facilitate the resettlement and integration of Afghan returnees. He stressed that international donors should provide adequate funding for Afghanistan's humanitarian needs and socio-economic development.