Islamabad (Web News)
According to the spokesperson of the Foreign Office, the fourth quadrilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of China, Iran, Pakistan, and Russia was held in New York. The meeting expressed concern over the presence of banned groups in Afghanistan, including ISIS, Al-Qaeda, the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and the banned Jaish al-Adl, and called for action against them.
The spokesperson stated that the meeting was held on the sidelines of the 80th General Assembly session to discuss the situation in Afghanistan. The four countries reaffirmed their commitment to making Afghanistan a free, united, and peaceful state, and agreed on the need to improve Afghanistan’s economy and alleviate the plight of its people.
The participants stressed the importance of enhancing trade cooperation and regional connectivity with Afghanistan. They also emphasized the need to adjust the 1988 sanctions regime in line with ground realities, and called for avoiding political motives and double standards in relation to the travel exemptions of Taliban leaders.
The meeting called for increasing emergency humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan and underlined that humanitarian aid should not be linked with political issues.
The parties urged Afghan authorities to take effective measures against terrorist groups, including ending their access to funding, recruitment, and weapons. They also emphasized dismantling terrorist training centers and infrastructure in Afghanistan and agreed to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in counterterrorism.
The meeting acknowledged Afghan authorities’ efforts to reduce poppy cultivation and stressed the adoption of a comprehensive strategy for drug control. It also emphasized steps for the dignified return of Afghan refugees.
The spokesperson said that Iran and Pakistan’s hosting of millions of Afghan refugees was appreciated, and the international community was urged to provide additional support to both countries. The meeting also stressed the formation of an inclusive and broad-based government in Afghanistan.
The participants emphasized granting women and girls access to education, employment, and participation in public life, while ensuring the provision of basic rights and services to the Afghan people. NATO countries were held responsible for Afghanistan’s current situation.
The meeting also demanded the return of Afghanistan’s frozen assets to its people, opposed the establishment of military bases in Afghanistan and surrounding areas, and supported global and regional efforts for a political solution to the Afghan issue.
The quadrilateral meeting also recognized the importance of the Moscow Format, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and meetings of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries. The recent meeting of the four countries’ representatives in Dushanbe was welcomed.