ISLAMABAD – Pakistan, along with Russia, China, and Iran, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting a stable, sovereign, and peaceful Afghanistan during a quadrilateral meeting held in Moscow on Tuesday a session that underscored growing regional concern over the resurgence of terrorism in the war-torn country.
The meeting took place ahead of the 7th Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan, where regional powers including India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are also participating to discuss the evolving political and security situation in Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s Special Envoy to Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq Khan, who represented Islamabad at the meeting, shared details on X (formerly Twitter), saying that the four participating nations “unanimously reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to a stable, sovereign, and peaceful Afghanistan,” while stressing that the country must remain free from “terrorism and external interference.”
Expressing shared concerns over the presence of various terrorist outfits in Afghanistan, the four countries agreed to step up regional coordination and joint action to counter these threats.
In separate sideline meetings, Khan also met his Iranian and Chinese counterparts to discuss regional security and humanitarian concerns. During his talks with Iran’s envoy Muhammad Reza Bahrami, both sides held what Khan described as “in-depth discussions” on the latest developments in Afghanistan, particularly the rise in terrorist activity.
“Both countries underscored the need for continued dialogue and coordination to tackle shared challenges,” he said.
Meanwhile, in a meeting with China’s Yue Xiaoyong, Pakistan and China reaffirmed the importance of a coordinated regional approach to achieve lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan. “The meeting underscored the strong partnership between Pakistan and China in addressing mutual challenges and advancing regional development,” Khan noted.
He also met with Russia’s special envoy Zamir Kabulov, where both sides exchanged views on enhancing cooperation and promoting regional stability through dialogue with Kabul.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Moscow Format discussions are expected to focus on counterterrorism, political reconciliation, and anti-narcotics cooperation. Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is attending the meeting marking the first time the Taliban-led government is officially participating as a recognized member since Russia formally acknowledged the Islamic Emirate earlier this year.
Muttaqi is also scheduled to hold a closed-door meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, where both are expected to discuss bilateral ties and practical cooperation between Kabul and regional partners.
The Moscow Format, established in 2016, remains one of the most significant regional platforms for dialogue on Afghanistan, urging the Taliban government to take verifiable steps toward eliminating all terrorist groups operating on its soil and ensuring that Afghan territory is not used to threaten neighboring countries.
Pakistan’s participation in the forum reflects its continued diplomatic push for a regional consensus on Afghanistan, emphasizing that peace and stability in the country are essential for broader regional security and economic integration.
