SecurityAfghan extremism.
ISLAMABAD: In a significant development aimed at bolstering regionalsecurity, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and China have reached a formal agreementon intelligence sharing to combat cross-border terrorism and extremism.This accord, announced during high-level diplomatic consultations,underscores the growing concerns among these nations regarding theactivities of militant groups operating from Afghan soil.
Officials from the three countries emphasized that the pact will facilitatethe exchange of real-time intelligence, enabling coordinated efforts toneutralize threats that have long plagued the region. The agreement comesat a time when the international community is increasingly aware of theAfghan Taliban’s alleged patronage of various extremist organizations, afactor that has heightened tensions and prompted collaborative responses.
The tripartite arrangement is seen as a strategic response to the evolvingsecurity landscape in Central and South Asia. Analysts point out that sincethe Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, there has been anoticeable surge in activities by groups such as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan(TTP) and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), which have conductedattacks across borders. Pakistan, in particular, has borne the brunt ofthese assaults, with numerous incidents reported in its northwesternprovinces.
Tajikistan, sharing a porous border with Afghanistan, has expressedapprehensions about the spillover of instability, while China remainsvigilant against threats to its Xinjiang region and investments under theBelt and Road Initiative. The intelligence-sharing mechanism is expected toinclude protocols for monitoring militant movements, disrupting financingnetworks, and preventing the smuggling of arms and operatives.
Security analyst Zahir Shah Sherazi has highlighted the global recognitionof the Afghan Taliban’s role in harboring extremists. According to Sherazi,the world has become acutely aware that the Taliban regime is not onlytolerating but actively patronizing these groups, providing them with safehavens and logistical support. This perception has been reinforced byreports from international bodies and independent observers, which documentinstances of collaboration between the Taliban and various jihadistfactions. Sherazi argues that without addressing this core issue, effortsto stabilize the region will remain futile. He advocates for a multilateralapproach, suggesting that the new pact between Pakistan, Tajikistan, andChina could serve as a model for broader international cooperation.
The agreement also reflects a deepening of diplomatic ties among thesignatories. Pakistan and China have long maintained a robust strategicpartnership, often described as “all-weather” allies, while relations withTajikistan have strengthened through frameworks like the ShanghaiCooperation Organization (SCO).This intelligence-sharing initiative is likely to be integrated intoexisting SCO mechanisms, enhancing collective security measures. Diplomatsinvolved in the negotiations have stressed the importance ofconfidentiality and mutual trust, ensuring that sensitive information ishandled with the utmost discretion to avoid compromising operations.
Critics, however, caution that the success of this pact will depend on thecommitment of all parties and the willingness of the Afghan authorities tocurb extremist activities within their territory. There have been calls forthe international community, including the United Nations, to exertpressure on the Taliban to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries. In the absenceof such actions, regional powers like Pakistan, Tajikistan, and China maybe compelled to adopt more assertive postures, potentially including jointborder patrols or targeted operations.
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This development marks a pivotal step in regional diplomacy, signaling aunited front against the scourge of terrorism. As the three nations proceedwith implementing the agreement, the focus will be on achieving tangibleoutcomes that contribute to lasting peace and stability. The pact not onlyaddresses immediate security threats but also lays the groundwork forlong-term collaboration in areas such as economic development andcounter-narcotics efforts, which are often intertwined with extremistfinancing.
In conclusion, the intelligence-sharing agreement between Pakistan,Tajikistan, and China represents a proactive measure in an increasinglyvolatile geopolitical environment. By pooling resources and expertise,these countries aim to mitigate risks emanating from Afghanistan, where theTaliban’s policies continue to draw international scrutiny. As analystZahir Shah Sherazi aptly notes, the global acknowledgment of the Taliban’ssponsorship of extremists necessitates such alliances to safeguard nationalinterests and promote regional harmony.
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1876543
Source:https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/pakistan-tajikistan-china-intelligence-pact-2025-12-04/
Tags: Pakistan, Tajikistan, China, Taliban
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