The recent multilateral meeting on Afghanistan held in Kazan, Russia, should serve as an awakening moment. Representatives from China, India, Russia, Central Asian states, the Middle East, and Turkey gathered with a common goal: to promote peace in the war-torn country and urge the Kabul government to take action against well-entrenched terrorist elements.
Notably absent from this meeting was the United States, although there was significant emphasis on implementing the 2020 Doha Accord signed between State Department officials and the Taliban. The meeting also stressed the importance of regional cooperation and urged the beleaguered Afghan regime to address internal issues, as well as open up the country for international trade, and commerce.
The participation of Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, and Pakistan’s special representative on Afghanistan, Ambassador Asif Ali Durrani, among other dignitaries, provided an opportunity to revisit the commitment of the Taliban during their recent gatherings in Kabul.
Both Pakistan and the southern regions of Afghanistan have experienced a surge in terrorism due to the reorganization of groups like TTP, IS, and Al Qaeda remnants. Unfortunately, these groups have established connections with like-minded entities in Pakistan, leading to a deterioration in law and order. This is why the Kazan Declaration called for swift action against all such threats in Afghanistan, including combating human trafficking, reducing drug production and trafficking, and establishing an inclusive government in Kabul.
It is evident that more decisive actions are needed, and the current state of inaction must change. There is a pressing need to dismantle, eliminate, and prevent the presence of various terrorist groups in Afghanistan to ensure that the region can benefit from economic growth and cooperation instead of being plagued by discontent and violence. The Doha and Kazan agreements must be implemented without delay.
