ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have called on the Taliban to take “visible and verifiable” actions against terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan, warning that these groups pose a significant threat to regional and global security.
In a joint statement, both leaders emphasized the importance of curbing terrorist activities and urged the Taliban to prevent Afghanistan’s soil from being used against neighboring countries and beyond.
The statement also called for international cooperation to encourage the Taliban to establish an inclusive government in Afghanistan.
The two premiers urged the Taliban to adopt moderate policies and pursue positive relations with Afghanistan’s neighboring countries.
The statement highlighted Pakistan and China’s commitment to strengthening coordination on issues related to Afghanistan and bolstering counterterrorism cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
Li arrived in Islamabad on Monday under tight security, where he was welcomed with an honor guard at the Pakistani Prime Minister’s residence.
On Tuesday, the leaders inaugurated Gwadar International Airport in Balochistan, a project funded under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), aimed at enhancing bilateral ties and promoting shared infrastructure projects.
Premier Li’s visit includes extensive discussions to deepen bilateral relations, culminating in his participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Islamabad on Wednesday.
