Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, at the meeting of the Contact Group of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Afghanistan, called for the removal of Taliban restrictions on women and girls and the formation of an inclusive government with the participation of all ethnic groups in Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced early Wednesday, September 23, that Islamabad has expressed concern over the activities of more than 20 terrorist groups in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.

Dar has asked the OIC Contact Group to urge the Taliban to cut support for terrorist groups, comply with international obligations, and prevent drug and weapon trafficking.

He also called for a review of policies that, according to him, have restricted the fundamental freedoms of the Afghan people, and emphasized that restrictions imposed on women and girls must be lifted.

Pakistan is making these demands while the Taliban have always rejected Islamabad’s accusations about terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil; in the past, Pakistan was also considered a main supporter of the Taliban.