In a recent diplomatic exchange, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the urgent need for Pakistan and Afghanistan to settle their ongoing disputes through peaceful dialogue rather than military action. During a phone conversation with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, Wang stressed that resorting to force would only exacerbate the already fragile situation between the two neighboring countries. The Chinese foreign ministry released a statement on Friday highlighting Wang’s call for calm, restraint, and immediate face-to-face negotiations to de-escalate tensions.
Wang urged both Islamabad and Kabul to prioritize dialogue and consultation as the primary means to resolve their differences. He underscored the importance of an immediate ceasefire, warning that further military operations would complicate matters and deepen hostilities. This appeal from Beijing comes amid heightened conflict following Pakistan’s recent airstrikes on a fuel depot near Kandahar airport, an incident that marked a significant escalation in the strained relations between the two nations.
The Pakistani military conducted these strikes during the night of March 12-13, targeting oil storage facilities at Kandahar airfield that were reportedly being utilized by the Afghan Taliban and affiliated terrorist groups to support their operations. Security officials released video footage confirming the destruction of these sites, which were seen as critical logistical hubs for militants. This offensive was part of Pakistan’s ongoing “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq,” aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure along the porous Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Pakistani security sources have vowed to continue such operations until their objectives are fully met.
Beyond the immediate border conflict, Wang and Muttaqi also discussed broader regional security concerns, including the escalating hostilities in the Middle East involving the US, Israel, and Iran. Wang conveyed China’s willingness to collaborate with the international community, including Afghanistan, to promote peace and stability in Iran, reflecting Beijing’s broader diplomatic engagement in the region.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has witnessed a surge in cross-border terrorist activities, particularly in its Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, which share extensive borders with Afghanistan. In response, Pakistan launched “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq,” which has reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 650 Afghan Taliban fighters within Pakistani territory and across the border. Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, the operation has inflicted significant damage on militant capabilities, including the destruction of 243 militant checkposts, the capture of 42 fighters, and the elimination of 219 tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery guns.
Prior to this operation, Pakistan also targeted seven terrorist camps and hideouts belonging to groups such as Fitna al-Khawarij (FAK), its affiliates, and Daesh-Khorasan along the border areas. These airstrikes, conducted in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost provinces, reportedly killed more than 80 militants, further intensifying the security dynamics between the two countries.
It is important to recall that tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have flared repeatedly in recent years. In October 2025, both sides engaged in fierce border clashes after unprovoked attacks by the Afghan Taliban and allied militants on Pakistani border posts. These confrontations resulted in the deaths of over 200 Taliban fighters and affiliated militants, while Pakistan mourned the loss of 23 soldiers who died defending their homeland. Despite numerous rounds of diplomatic talks aimed at resolving these disputes, progress has been limited, largely due to the Afghan Taliban regime’s reluctance to take decisive action against terrorist groups operating from its territory.
China’s call for dialogue and restraint reflects its growing role as a regional mediator seeking to stabilize South and Central Asia. As tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to simmer, Beijing’s diplomatic efforts highlight the importance of peaceful conflict resolution in a region fraught with security challenges and geopolitical complexities.
