Islamic Emirate Calls for Afghanistan’s Inclusion in Regional SCO Decisions

Tajikistan is hosting a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) leaders.

As the meeting takes place, Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, has emphasized the importance of Afghanistan’s participation in regional meetings.

Mujahid said excluding Afghanistan from regional decision-making would make it difficult to implement those decisions. He stressed that Afghanistan should be supported and included in regional discussions.

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said: “Afghanistan must always participate in regional meetings because it is part of the region and should be involved in decision-making. If decisions are made at these meetings without Afghanistan’s participation, they will not be implemented. Afghanistan should not be ignored; it should be supported and included in regional affairs.”

At the meeting, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said that ensuring stability in Afghanistan is essential for maintaining regional peace and security.

He added that his country seeks a peaceful, stable, prosperous, and regionally integrated Afghanistan that is at peace with itself and all its neighbors.

Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, said: “Sustainable economic development cannot be guaranteed without lasting peace and security in the region. Ensuring stability in Afghanistan is essential for maintaining peace and stability in our region. Pakistan continues to seek a peaceful, stable, regionally integrated, and prosperous Afghanistan that is at peace with itself and all its neighbors.”

On the sidelines of the meeting, Mohammad Reza Aref, Iran’s First Vice President, met with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon to discuss expanding trilateral cooperation involving Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.

According to Iranian media reports, Aref welcomed the Tajik president’s proposal to establish the South Pars–Afghanistan–Tajikistan energy corridor. The two sides also discussed trade, transportation, energy, and developments in Afghanistan within the framework of the SCO.

Iranian media reported: “Mr. Rahmon’s proposal to establish the South Pars–Afghanistan–Tajikistan energy corridor is a very positive and constructive initiative that has been presented to the Iranian president. Aref added that Iran is interested in expanding trilateral cooperation with Tajikistan and Afghanistan and that significant opportunities exist to develop this cooperation. The meeting also emphasized the export of Iranian petroleum products to Tajikistan and Iran’s assistance in connecting the country to the open waters of the Persian Gulf.”

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has ten permanent members, while Afghanistan and Mongolia hold observer status.

Earlier, Russian media, citing Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, reported that Pakistan opposed Afghanistan’s accession to the SCO. The claim was later rejected by Pakistan’s ambassador to Russia.