Russia Warns of Militant Surge and Drug Threat in Afghanistan at SCO Meeting

At a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation security council meeting, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu highlighted the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, validating Pakistan’s long-standing concerns. Shoigu reported that between 18,000 and 23,000 militants from over 20 groups, including approximately 3,000 Islamic State fighters, are operating within Afghanistan. The presence of foreign fighters from Syria, such as Uyghurs and Uzbeks, further exacerbates the threat. The article emphasizes the disconnect between the Taliban’s desire for international recognition and their inability to control armed groups or curb the narcotics trade. While poppy cultivation has reportedly declined, synthetic drug production, particularly methamphetamine, is rising, providing new funding for criminal and militant networks. The text argues that Pakistan must move beyond anger to implement a documented, evidence-based policy, urging the SCO to establish a verification mechanism to trace drug routes and precursor chemicals. The core argument posits that Kabul cannot claim statehood privileges while allowing disorder and terrorism to spill into neighboring countries, demanding accountability from the Taliban regime for cross-border security failures.