Afghanistan, Pakistan held ‘useful’ peace talks, Kabul says

Hostilities between the Afghan Taliban and Pakistan resurfaced in February, reigniting concerns over cross-border tensions. Pakistan has alleged that Afghanistan provides refuge to militants conducting attacks on its soil, while Kabul has dismissed these claims, asserting that militancy is a domestic issue in Pakistan.

China emerged as a key mediator, offering support to de-escalate the situation. Recent diplomatic engagements in Urumqi, China, marked ‘useful’ progress, according to the Taliban-controlled Foreign Ministry. The talks, initiated last week, aim to halt ongoing clashes that have claimed numerous lives on both sides.

Mediation efforts and mutual accusations

Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, met with China’s ambassador to Kabul and acknowledged Beijing’s role in facilitating the discussions. He also expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, and the UAE for their contributions to the peace process. “Significant dialogue has occurred, and we hope minor disagreements will not stall progress,” the ministry noted in a statement.

“The culmination of terrorists’ safe havens and their use of Afghan territory against Pakistan will be the goal of our military campaign,” said Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, during a meeting with senior commanders.

Pakistani officials have not directly commented on the talks. Meanwhile, the UN’s humanitarian office reported that the conflict has displaced 94,000 individuals, with over 100,000 residents in two border districts facing complete isolation due to the escalating violence.

Escalation and historical context

This latest surge in fighting represents the sharpest confrontation between the two nations since the Taliban’s 2021 re-establishment of power. Despite shared ties, the Afghan Taliban is distinct from Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which operates separately.

In March, Afghanistan accused Pakistan of conducting an airstrike on a drug rehab center in Kabul, killing over 400 people. Pakistan countered by stating the attack precisely targeted military sites and infrastructure linked to terrorist activities. The parties had previously agreed to a ceasefire during Ramadan, set to begin on March 18.