SCO Secretary-General: Mediation Between Taliban and Pakistan Depends on Political Will

Nurlan Yermakbayev, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), stated that the group is ready to facilitate mediation and reduce tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan if there is political will from both sides.

Yermakbayev said SCO member countries can use existing mechanisms to help lower tensions and find political solutions, but stressed that political will from the involved parties is the fundamental condition for any action.

He noted that the SCO closely monitors developments in relations between the Taliban and Pakistan, viewing stability in Afghanistan and neighboring areas as essential for regional security.

No official request for mediation or dialogue has been received from Islamabad or the Taliban, Yermakbayev added.

The SCO has served as a regional framework for discussing security issues, including those related to Afghanistan. This includes the 'Shanghai-Afghanistan' contact group, aimed at strengthening dialogue and coordination for regional stability.

Yermakbayev emphasized the organization's focus on resolving regional disputes through political and diplomatic means, upholding principles such as respect for countries' sovereignty and seeking common solutions.

Previously, Russia and some regional countries have expressed readiness to mediate between the Taliban and Pakistan.

Afghanistan has held observer status in the SCO since 2012, but its membership has been suspended since the Taliban took power in 2021.