Four nations urge Kabul to act on terror, aid and inclusive governance

At a quadrilateral meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, the foreign ministers of Pakistan, China, Iran and Russia urged Afghanistan’s authorities to take verifiable steps against terrorist groups and to prevent the country’s territory from being used against neighbours. The hosts stressed that rising threats from ISIL, Al-Qaeda, ETIM, TTP, Jaish ul-Adl, BLA, the Majeed Brigade and other outfits demand coordinated action. The ministers advocated appropriately adjusting the UN’s 1988 sanctions regime to reflect current realities and facilitate diplomacy, including through travel-ban exemptions for designated officials. They called on the international community to intensify humanitarian aid, delinked from political conditions, to address urgent needs. Recognising Pakistan and Iran’s longstanding role in sheltering millions of Afghan refugees, the four countries asked donors to fund sustainable repatriation and reintegration programs. They also pressed Kabul to create conditions that enable safe returns and curb further migration. The statement encouraged inclusive governance that represents all segments of Afghan society and protects women and girls’ access to education, work and public life. The ministers criticised Western policies they said have worsened Afghanistan’s economic crisis, calling for the release of frozen assets and the lifting of unilateral sanctions. They expressed support for UN-led and regional diplomatic tracks—including the Moscow Format, the Neighbours’ Meetings and SCO initiatives—while opposing any plan to re-establish foreign military bases in or around Afghanistan.