He added that the Afghan government has relied heavily on international aid. Therefore, it was necessary to provide humanitarian aid to the country without any delay. “The Taliban must keep their promises,” he said.

PM Imran Khan reiterated that Afghanistan could not be “controlled from the outside.” Imran said Pakistan believed that “positive consultation” with the Taliban was crucial to ending decades of war.

He added that this is a “rare opportunity” that should not be missed. The Prime Minister further said that it would be unwise to spread negative rumors or engage in propaganda at this critical juncture.

“It will only undermine the prospects for peace, to the detriment of the Afghan people,” he said.

Referring to the Taliban’s occupation of Afghanistan, the prime minister said the international community should be relieved that the occupation was not “bloody”. He said the occupation had not resulted in any bloodshed, civil war or mass exodus of refugees, adding that it was time to acknowledge that a “new reality” had been established.

“It is in the collective interest of the international community to ensure that there is no further conflict in Afghanistan and that the security situation is stable,” PM Imran Khan told the SCO summit participants.

He stressed the need to support Afghanistan because preventing the humanitarian crisis and economic downturn are “equally urgent priorities”.

PM Imran Khan added that the former Afghan government relied on foreign aid and that the suspension of aid could lead to an economic crisis. The Prime Minister also commended the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) for increasing humanitarian assistance to UN agencies.

He said that Pakistan was also playing its role, such as evacuating foreigners from Kabul and sending necessary supplies.

Earlier, the Prime Minister arrived at the SOC meeting – Nowruz Palace, where he was warmly welcomed by Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.

PM Imran Khan’s visit is part of Pakistan’s deepened engagement with Central Asia, through the ‘Vision Central Asia’ policy, with a revitalised focus in five key areas of political ties, trade and investment, energy and connectivity, security and defence, and people-to-people contacts.