Islamabad, October 14, 2026(Kamran Raja): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has called for the development of an independent regional security architecture to promote peace and stability, emphasizing the need for countries in the region to take greater responsibility for their collective security.He made these remarks while addressing an international conference titled “Pakistan’s Evolving Counterterrorism Landscape: TTP, Cross-Border Threats and Regional Security,” organized by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), where he attended as the chief guest.
Senator Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to combating terrorism and promoting regional peace and security. He highlighted the enormous human and economic sacrifices made by Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, describing counterterrorism as a continuing story of national sacrifice and courage rather than merely a policy debate.
Recalling his three visits to Afghanistan last year and engagements with the Afghan Taliban authorities, the Deputy Prime Minister stated that Pakistan had made one clear demand: visible, verifiable and irreversible action against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other associated terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory. He urged the Afghan authorities to honour their counterterrorism commitments made in Doha and to Pakistan, stressing the importance of stronger regional and international cooperation, intelligence-sharing and coordinated action against cross-border terrorist threats.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, delivering the keynote address, highlighted Pakistan’s immense sacrifices over the past four decades in the fight against terrorism. He called on the Afghan authorities to prevent terrorist groups from using Afghan territory to carry out attacks, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and stability. He cautioned that Pakistan’s desire for peace should not be mistaken for weakness.
During the first working session, moderated by Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad, former Pakistani Ambassador to Afghanistan Abrar Hussain highlighted militant sanctuaries in Afghanistan and the growing tactical convergence between the TTP and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). He called for coordinated diplomatic engagement with Kabul involving China, Russia and Iran. Giorgio Cafiero, CEO and Founder of Gulf State Analytics, observed that Gulf countries support Pakistan’s stability while maintaining engagement with Kabul, although their diplomatic channels have yet to produce meaningful leverage over the Taliban. Security analyst Naseem Zehra emphasized the need to address the underlying drivers of recruitment through legal accountability, constitutional political space and civilian-led prevention measures.
The second working session, moderated by Dr. Shabana Fayyaz, focused on sustained dialogue with Afghanistan, effective border management and the protection of legitimate trade. Former Pakistani Special Representative on Afghanistan Ambassador Asif Durrani stressed the importance of maintaining diplomatic engagement alongside stronger border controls. Professor Joseph Siracusa of Royal Melbourne University advocated intelligence-led counterterrorism, lawful accountability, pathways for disengagement from militancy and greater international recognition of Pakistan’s sacrifices. Ambassador James Watt of The Ambassador Partnership LLP, London, underscored the importance of the rule of law, state sovereignty and regional cooperation, while highlighting the potential contribution of Pakistan’s defence cooperation with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye to strategic coordination.
In the third working session, moderated by Dr. Salma Malik, former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry called for stronger international cooperation and effective implementation of United Nations sanctions to address terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan. Major General Zahid Mehmood, Principal of the NUST Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, cited 225 militant attacks in Pakistan during September 2026, highlighting the urgency of improved border management and regional cooperation. He clarified that Pakistan’s actions are directed against terrorist infrastructure, not the Afghan people. Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt, former US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs, advocated pragmatic US–Pakistan counterterrorism cooperation and regional coordination, emphasizing the importance of separating shared security interests from wider geopolitical rivalries.
In his concluding remarks, ISSI Chairman of the Board of Governors Ambassador Khalid Mahmood called for a comprehensive counterterrorism framework to address threats posed by the TTP and BLA. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace through intelligence-sharing, coordinated action, respect for national sovereignty and the rejection of terrorism as an instrument of strategic leverage.
The conference brought together senior policymakers, diplomats, security experts and academics from Pakistan and abroad to examine the evolving regional counterterrorism environment, threats posed by terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan, and the broader implications for regional stability. Participants emphasized the need for sustained cooperation among regional and international partners to address emerging security challenges and strengthen collective efforts against terrorism.