Pakistan Says Terrorism Remains at Core of Afghanistan’s Problems at Moscow Format
Pakistan told the eighth Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan on Monday that terrorism remains at the core of Afghanistan’s problems, with the country’s special representative saying more than 4,700 Pakistanis have been killed in attacks emanating from Afghan soil over the past three years.
Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister and Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, led the Pakistani delegation at the meeting in Moscow. He was joined by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani, and the Ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi.
Addressing the session, Sadiq said the presence of terrorist organisations on Afghan territory could not be ignored, repeating Islamabad’s long-standing demand that the Taliban administration act against militant groups operating from its soil.
Lavrov opens the session as Muttaqi leads Afghan side
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov delivered the opening remarks at the consultations, which brought together special representatives and senior officials from Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Belarus and Egypt attended as guest delegations.
The Afghan Taliban delegation was led by acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. No bilateral meeting between Sadiq and Muttaqi was scheduled, with a Taliban official saying the group had not requested one. Muttaqi was, however, expected to hold separate talks with Lavrov on the sidelines of the consultations.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the meeting was to discuss political and economic cooperation between Afghanistan and regional countries, alongside joint efforts against terrorism and drug trafficking. A joint statement was expected at the end of the session.
What the Moscow Format covers
Set up in 2017, the Moscow Format is a regional platform for consultations on Afghanistan that brings together the country’s neighbours and other regional stakeholders. The Taliban took part as a formal member for the first time at the seventh meeting in October 2025, after Russia formally recognised the Taliban administration earlier that year.
This year’s session took place against the backdrop of deeply strained ties between Islamabad and Kabul. Pakistan maintains that armed groups, including the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, plan and carry out attacks from sanctuaries inside Afghanistan, while the Taliban administration rejects the charge and accuses Pakistan of violating Afghan sovereignty.
Russia has called for dialogue and political engagement to settle the differences. China hosted talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban in Urumqi in April, but those discussions produced no significant progress. Sadiq himself recently criticised the Taliban’s policies towards terrorist groups in remarks delivered in Islamabad.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Moscow Format?
The Moscow Format is a regional consultation mechanism on Afghanistan established by Russia in 2017. It brings together Afghanistan’s neighbours and regional powers to discuss security, terrorism, narcotics, economic cooperation and the country’s political future.
Who represented Pakistan at the 2026 meeting?
Pakistan’s delegation was led by Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister and Special Representative for Afghanistan, along with Pakistan’s ambassadors to Kabul and Moscow.
What did Pakistan say about terrorism at the meeting?
Sadiq told the consultations that terrorism remains at the core of Afghanistan’s problems, noting that more than 4,700 Pakistanis had been killed in attacks emanating from Afghan territory over the last three years.
Which countries attended the eighth meeting?
Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan sent representatives, with Belarus and Egypt attending as guests.
