Russia says Pashto could help reconcile Afghanistan and Pakistan

The Russian Embassy in Pakistan says the Pashto language could help promote mutual understanding and reconciliation between Afghanistan and Pakistan amid tensions between the two neighboring countries.

The embassy hosted a book launch ceremony on October 27 for Advanced Pashto Grammar in Use, attended by Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Albert P. Khorev, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Sardar Ahmad Shakib, the book’s author Hafiz-ur-Rehman Doran, and academics and media representatives.

Speaking at the event, Khorev said Afghanistan and Pakistan share a common language, giving their people an important opportunity to understand one another better.

He described the initiative as another Russian effort to encourage dialogue and help resolve differences between Kabul and Islamabad.

“Pashto can become a language of reconciliation between Pakistan and Afghanistan, just as Russian can become a language of reconciliation between Russia and Ukraine,” Khorev said.

The remarks highlight the potential role of shared cultural and linguistic ties in promoting dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan, whose relations have faced persistent challenges.