Pakistan and Afghanistan hold China-mediated talks to resolve border conflict

Pakistan and Afghanistan are holding talks in China to find ways to end the months-long conflict caused by cross-border attacks.

The meeting took place in the northwestern city of Urumqi after Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Beijing on Tuesday to meet his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.

It is reported that they discussed Islamabad's role in efforts to bring the United States and Iran to the negotiating table and established a joint five-point plan to end the conflict.

Dar returned to Islamabad on Wednesday following Chinese support for Pakistan's diplomatic efforts, which included a meeting of foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey in the Pakistani capital last weekend. 

China is seeking to mediate the growing conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan. It has sent a special envoy and pledged to play a constructive role in de-escalating tensions.

Pakistan has stated it is targeting militants conducting cross-border attacks, but Kabul officials have denied harboring terrorists.

Meanwhile, when contacted, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry and the military did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the talks with the Afghan government.

A senior Pakistani security official said, “A delegation led by a Pakistani Foreign Ministry official has arrived in Urumqi to hold talks with the Afghan Taliban.”

“This meeting is taking place at the request of our Chinese friends,” he said. 

Another senior government official also confirmed the talks, stating, “This meeting is an initiative to lay the groundwork for a full-scale dialogue.”

Pakistan's demands from Afghanistan remain unchanged, urging Kabul to take ‘verifiable action’ against militants and ‘end all support for the groups.’

It also wants to ensure that Afghan soil is not used as a base for attacks against Pakistan.

Pakistan is China's closest partner in the region, and Beijing has urged Islamabad to remain ‘calm and restrained’ in its conflict with Afghanistan.

This meeting marks the first significant engagement after mediation efforts supported by Qatar and Turkey failed to achieve a permanent ceasefire, which had prompted Islamabad to launch a major military operation, including airstrikes deep inside Afghanistan.