Pakistan: Taliban Blocking Afghanistan’s Full SCO Membership

DID Press: Pakistan’s ambassador to Russia said Afghanistan will not be able to secure full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as long as the Taliban remain in power.

Faisal Niaz Tirmizi told the Russian newspaper Izvestia that the continuation of Taliban rule is one of the main obstacles to Afghanistan’s full membership in the regional organization.He said Islamabad supports Afghanistan becoming a full SCO member in the future, citing the country’s important geographic position and role in regional connectivity.

Tirmizi added that Pakistan would support Afghan membership under an inclusive government that respects the rights of women, minorities and different ethnic groups.The Pakistani envoy also said security concerns and instability in Afghanistan have slowed or halted some regional connectivity and transport projects involving Pakistan and Russia.

He said that with lasting stability in Afghanistan, transit and overland routes linking Central Asia, Iran and South Asia could play a greater role in expanding regional economic and trade cooperation.