ISLAMABAD: In a measured response to Moscow’s recent proposal to mediatebetween Pakistan and the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan, Pakistaniauthorities have reaffirmed their openness to any genuine effort thatpromotes regional peace and stability. The statement, issued throughdiplomatic channels, underscores Islamabad’s consistent policy of engagingin multilateral forums to address the lingering security challengesemanating from its western neighbour.
Officials highlighted Pakistan’s active role in previous peace initiatives,including the Doha process facilitated by the United States and Qatar, aswell as two rounds of structured dialogue hosted in Istanbul. Theseengagements, they emphasised, were driven solely by the goal ofestablishing a durable security architecture that benefits all stakeholdersin the region. The reiteration serves as a reminder of Pakistan’sdiplomatic investment in Afghan stability since the Taliban’s return topower in 2021.
Yet, the core of Pakistan’s position remains unchanged: no mediation cansucceed without addressing the persistent threat of cross-border terrorism.Intelligence reports continue to document infiltration attempts by militantgroups, particularly the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), operating fromsanctuaries inside Afghanistan. Islamabad argues that appeals for restraintring hollow when such activities remain uncurbed, potentially underminingany goodwill generated through third-party intervention.
Analysts view Russia’s offer as part of its broader strategic outreach inSouth and Central Asia, where Moscow seeks to counterbalance Westerninfluence while securing its southern flanks against extremist spill-over.The proposal gains additional context from the upcoming ShanghaiCooperation Organisation summit, where Afghanistan’s status is likely tofeature prominently. For Pakistan, the mediation could open a paralleltrack alongside its bilateral engagements with Kabul, provided verifiablemechanisms are put in place to monitor and dismantle terroristinfrastructure.
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The government’s stance reflects a pragmatic blend of diplomacy andsecurity imperatives. By welcoming the initiative while setting clear redlines, Islamabad signals its willingness to explore new avenues withoutcompromising national interests. Whether Russia can bridge the trustdeficit between the two neighbours will depend on its ability to extractconcrete commitments from the Taliban regime.
Source: www.mofa.gov.pk/press-releases”>https://www.mofa.gov.pk/press-releasesSource: https://tass.com/politics/1876543