Mazaj News (Web Desk) Officials from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China convened on Wednesday in Urumqi, China, under a trilateral framework, according to a senior source from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).
The talks come after Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan on February 26, which had led to a significant reduction in diplomatic contact between Islamabad and Kabul.
The MoFA official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of discussions, clarified that the meeting is not a formal mediation effort. Instead, it aims to exchange perspectives on the recent escalation in the region. While no major breakthroughs are expected, China is advocating for confidence-building measures, including the reopening of trade routes between the two countries.
Delegates engaged in detailed deliberations, balancing security concerns with economic priorities. Pakistan raised its continued concerns regarding Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) sanctuaries operating inside Afghanistan. Afghan Taliban representatives, while indicating a willingness to address Islamabad’s concerns, maintained that TTP activities within Pakistan are not directly under their control.
Despite ongoing differences, the dialogue also emphasized lowering tensions and building trust. Pakistan expressed openness to reopening trade corridors and enhancing economic cooperation with Afghanistan, reflecting efforts to manage tensions while exploring potential economic opportunities.
A Pakistani official noted that China requested Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who was in Beijing, to ensure Pakistan’s participation, as Afghanistan had sought China’s assistance in bringing Islamabad to the negotiation table. China is also concerned about the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), a transnational terrorist group operating in Afghanistan.
The Afghan side has reportedly agreed to discuss a verifiable mechanism to address key demands from Pakistan and China regarding TTP and ETIM, signaling a more serious approach this time.
The discussions, described as exploratory, are being led from Pakistan by the additional secretary of the Afghan desk at the Foreign Office, accompanied by military and intelligence officials. The Afghan delegation includes representatives from the interior and foreign ministries as well as the General Directorate of Intelligence.