Media confirms spymasters meet in Islamabad despite FO’s unawareness

The Foreign Office of Pakistan expressed ignorance about a reported meeting of spy chiefs of Russia, Iran, China and Pakistan in Islamabad over the growing threat to the region from the takfiri terrorist group Daesh (ISIS) in Afghanistan.

Although the FO remains unaware, Dawn Islamabad reporter said the officials privately confirmed that the unprecedented meeting took place on Tuesday, which could besides dealing with Daesh provide a basis for greater regional cooperation for peace in Afghanistan.
The meeting, which was supposed to be secret, was first reported by Russian newswire TASS. The Voice of America (VoA) also carried a report on the meeting.
The VOA correspondent Ayaz Gul also reported that official sources in Islamabad confirmed to VOA that participants held detailed discussions on joint measures to stop Afghan-based loyalists of the Middle Eastern terrorist group from threatening the territorial boundaries of the four nations.
The unusual huddle brought together spymasters from the countries which are “directly affected” by Daesh-led terrorism. However, it was “not targeted against any other country as it may be viewed,” the sources asserted in a bid to allay suggestions that cooperation involving Russia, China and Iran could undermine U.S.-led efforts to stabilize Afghanistan.