NEW YORK: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has called for concrete and verifiable measures to prevent Afghan territory from being used for terrorism against neighbouring countries, particularly Pakistan.
Dar made the remarks while addressing a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Afghanistan on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.
He expressed serious concern over the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan and recalled Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
Dar urges action against terrorist groups
Referring to the recent terrorist attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kohat, Dar said the loss of innocent lives and injuries to scores of people highlighted the threat posed by terrorism emanating from the region.
He stressed the need for concrete action against terrorist groups and their alleged sanctuaries.
The deputy prime minister urged the Afghan Taliban to fulfil Afghanistan’s international obligations and commitments and called for an end to what he described as patronage of terrorist groups.
Dar also called for restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan to be lifted, saying such measures were contrary to Islamic principles and the norms of Muslim societies.
He urged Afghan authorities to promote politically inclusive governance and facilitate the resettlement and integration of Afghan returnees.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 addressed the meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Afghanistan on 22 September 2026 on the sidelines of UNGA, in New York.
The DPM/FM stressed the need for concrete and verifiable action to prevent… pic.twitter.com/Tl9L2lwJaB
— Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN (@PakistanUN_NY) September 22, 2026
The Pakistani foreign minister also called for adequate international funding to address Afghanistan’s humanitarian needs and support its socio-economic development.
Reiterating Pakistan’s longstanding position, Dar said Islamabad supports a stable and prosperous Afghanistan that is at peace with itself and its neighbours.
Dar is in New York as part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s delegation for the UN General Assembly. Shehbaz is scheduled to address the General Assembly on September 25, with Dar, federal ministers and senior officials accompanying him.
The Pakistani delegation has also held several meetings on the sidelines of the UNGA to discuss bilateral relations, regional security and other diplomatic matters.
PM Shehbaz, Dar hold diplomatic meetings on UNGA sidelines
Dar raises Kashmir issue at OIC meeting
Dar also addressed the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, thanking the group and the OIC’s Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission for their continued support for the Kashmiri people.
He said Kashmiris had been waiting for nearly eight decades to exercise what Pakistan describes as their right to self-determination under the United Nations framework.
Dar accused India of seeking to alter the demographic composition of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir through measures introduced after August 5, 2019.
He alleged that Kashmiri political leaders and young people were being targeted under stringent laws and accused India of taking steps aimed at changing the region’s demographic composition.
The deputy prime minister further alleged that efforts were being made to undermine the Muslim cultural and religious identity of the region and that journalists were facing restrictions.
He also claimed that international observers were being denied access to the area.
Referring to the Pakistan-India conflict in May 2025, Dar said it demonstrated the potential dangers of leaving the Kashmir dispute unresolved.
He alleged that India had made accusations against Pakistan without conducting an investigation, while saying Pakistan had responded in what he described as a responsible and measured manner in self-defence.
