Pakistan and Afghanistan are currently engaged in diplomatic talks in Urumqi, a city in northwestern China, as part of efforts to address ongoing tensions between the two countries. A delegation from Pakistan, led by the foreign ministry’s additional secretary, is participating in these discussions with Afghan officials.
Pakistan has expressed readiness for dialogue but maintains its firm stance on continuing operations against terror hideouts within Afghanistan. Islamabad insists that its policy will not change regarding cross-border militant threats. Meanwhile, Kabul denies providing sanctuary to militants responsible for attacks on Pakistan.
In a significant development, Pakistan’s Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar traveled to Beijing on Tuesday to meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Their talks focused on Islamabad’s role in facilitating negotiations between the United States and Iran, and they jointly proposed a five-point plan aimed at resolving the conflict.
Dar was scheduled to return to Islamabad on Wednesday following the discussions. China has positioned itself as a mediator in the escalating conflict, hosting the current talks in Urumqi at its invitation. A senior Pakistani security official confirmed the delegation’s presence in Urumqi, emphasizing that the meeting was convened at China’s request.
Another senior government official described the talks as foundational, intended to pave the way for comprehensive dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan’s demands remain consistent, calling on Kabul to take concrete, verifiable measures against extremist groups and to cease any support for such factions.
Additionally, Pakistan urges Afghanistan to ensure that its territory is not used as a launching ground for attacks against Pakistan. There has been no immediate response from either Pakistan’s foreign ministry or the Afghan government regarding the ongoing discussions.
