The Taliban’s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, recently spoke at the Samarkand meeting, discussing security provisions and opportunities for Afghanistan’s participation in regional economic programs. However, he failed to address the threats posed by ISIL-K and other terror groups that Central Asian countries fear.

During his five-minute speech, Muttaqi stated that the Taliban would not permit any group to utilize Afghanistan’s soil for attacking other countries. However, missile attacks on the border areas of Uzbekistan following the Taliban’s takeover have been reported.

In an interview last month on RTA, Muttaqi denied the presence of ISIS in Afghanistan, but reports of more than 80 operations launched by the Taliban against the ISIL-K and deadly attacks by the group in the country contradict his claims.

Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Taliban to take action against terrorist groups. According to a UN Security Council report, Afghanistan poses a significant threat to the Middle East and South Asia due to the activities of terror groups. The report stated, “Afghanistan remains the primary source of terrorist threat for Central and South Asia. The threat originates from groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Khorasan (ISIL-K), Al-Qaida, Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), as well as ETIM/TIP, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), Islamic Jihad Group, Khatiba Imam al-Bukhari (KIB), Khatiba al-Tawhid wal-Jihad (KTJ), Jamaat Ansarullah, and others. These groups enjoy greater freedom of movement in Afghanistan owing to the absence of an effective Taliban security strategy.”

According to the same UN Security Council report, the number of ISIS Khorasan members is estimated to be between 1,000 to 3,000.