Pakistani, Tajik leaders reiterate call for inclusive government in Afghanistan

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon have reiterated their call for the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan.

The leaders of the two countries stressed that peace and stability in Afghanistan is fundamental for the prosperity and progress of the region.

“In this regard, they considered it important for Afghanistan to have an inclusive government,” the two leaders said in a joint statement issued by the Pakistani Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.

Sharif and Rahmon also expressed concern on terrorism threats and stressed the need for Dushanbe and Islamabad to cooperate in the fight against terrorism.

Although the statement did not specify what security threat the two countries face, Pakistan has previously claimed that attacks in the country are rooted in the presence and activities of the Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) in Afghanistan.

Tajikistan has also expressed concern that the risk of terrorist groups infiltrating Tajikistan from Afghanistan is increasing.

The Islamic Emirate, however, has denied the claims and stressed that it will not allow Afghanistan’s territory to be used against other countries.

During his visit to Dushanbe, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Tajikistan.

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