Pakistan says a new round of peace talks with Afghanistan is underway in China

Pakistan has officially confirmed its participation in ongoing peace negotiations with Afghanistan's Taliban government in China, as Beijing works to mediate a sustainable ceasefire following weeks of deadly cross-border violence that has significantly disrupted regional trade and travel.

The confirmation of these diplomatic talks in China came Thursday, one day after officials from both nations informed The Associated Press that representative delegations had traveled to Urumqi in western China for the negotiations.

Details regarding Pakistan's specific representation in the talks remain unclear. Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi announced via social media platform X that "a mid-level delegation" from Afghanistan had traveled to Urumqi for the negotiations at China's request.

Balkhi emphasized Afghanistan's position that diplomatic engagement based on mutual respect and non-interference can facilitate "practical and lasting solutions" to bilateral issues between the neighboring countries.

Pakistan emphasizes Afghanistan's responsibility for success

During a news briefing in Islamabad, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi confirmed the ongoing nature of the talks. "Yes, Pakistan has sent a delegation to Urumqi, in line with its consistent position and longstanding practice of supporting a credible process that can help find a durable solution to cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan," Andrabi stated.

Andrabi placed significant emphasis on Afghanistan's role in determining the talks' outcome, asserting that success largely depends on Kabul's actions.

"The burden of a real process lies with Afghanistan, which must demonstrate visible and verifiable action against terrorist groups using Afghan soil against Pakistan," he explained.

The diplomatic efforts come amid a concerning surge in terrorist attacks within Pakistan, many attributed to the Pakistani Taliban. This pattern continued Thursday evening when a suicide bomber drove an explosives-laden vehicle into a police station in Bannu district, northwestern Pakistan, resulting in at least five deaths and multiple injuries, according to local police chief Rafi Ullah.

Pakistan consistently alleges that Afghanistan provides sanctuary to militants conducting attacks within Pakistani territory, particularly the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). This organization operates separately from but maintains alliance with Afghanistan's ruling Taliban, which assumed control following the 2021 withdrawal of U.S.-led forces. The Afghan government categorically denies these allegations.

The current violence represents the most severe escalation since February, when Afghanistan's Taliban government reported Pakistani strikes in Kabul and other areas, primarily causing civilian casualties. Pakistan maintains these operations targeted TTP hideouts and has declared itself in "open war" with Afghanistan.

Despite ongoing tensions, Andrabi emphasized Pakistan's commitment to dialogue. "We remain engaged with the Chinese leadership on this issue and other relevant international partners," he stated, while insisting that Pakistan seeks written guarantees from Kabul that Afghan territory will not be used for attacks against Pakistan.

Chinese mediation efforts acknowledged

While China has not officially confirmed hosting the talks, the Chinese Foreign Ministry acknowledged Thursday that President Xi Jinping's government has been "actively mediating and facilitating the resolution of conflicts between Afghanistan and Pakistan." Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that China "always supported both sides in resolving their differences through dialogue and negotiation."

Violence continues despite diplomatic engagement

Concurrent with peace negotiations, Pakistan has indicated its military operations against the Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups along the Afghan border will continue, according to Andrabi.

Afghanistan's deputy government spokesperson, Hamdullah Fitrat, reported via X Thursday evening that Pakistan had conducted continuous "mortar, missile and drone attacks" on eastern Afghan provinces including Kunar, Paktika and Khost since Wednesday. He reported two fatalities and 25 injuries, predominantly among children.

Fitrat specifically cited Thursday incidents where Pakistan fired 185 long-range artillery shells into one Kunar district, injuring 10 people, while 178 additional long-range artillery and mortar shells targeted other Kunar areas without causing casualties.

Andrabi dismissed earlier accusations from a Kunar police spokesperson claiming that Pakistani mortars killed two civilians and wounded six others Wednesday. He emphasized that Pakistan conducts operations against militants while exercising care to prevent civilian casualties.

Escalating tensions and international concern

Tensions reached particularly acute levels following Afghanistan's claims that a Pakistani airstrike on a drug-treatment center in Kabul killed over 400 people last month. The death toll remains independently unverified, and Pakistan disputes the allegation, denying civilian targeting while claiming to have struck an ammunition depot in Kabul.

These latest China-hosted talks follow previous negotiation rounds in Qatar and Turkey, which produced ceasefire agreements that remained largely effective until Pakistan's late February strikes in Kabul and other Afghan locations triggered renewed border clashes.

The ongoing violence between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban has generated significant international concern, particularly given the continued presence of various militant organizations in the region, including the outlawed TTP, al-Qaeda, and the Islamic State group, all of which have sought to reestablish operational capabilities.