BEIJING — Chinese foreign ministry officials announced Friday that diplomatic negotiations between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban leadership are showing steady progress, following the resumption of talks after weeks of deadly border violence that claimed hundreds of lives.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters that “The consultation process is being steadily implemented and advanced.” Beijing is serving as an intermediary between the two nations, with diplomatic representatives reconvening discussions Wednesday in Urumqi, located in western China.
Mao noted that all three nations “have also reached consensus and arrangements on a specific operational mode, including media coverage,” though she declined to elaborate on specific details.
“Since the recent escalation of the Pakistan–Afghanistan conflict, China has been mediating and promoting talks in its own way, maintaining close communication with both sides through multiple channels and at various levels, and creating conditions and providing platforms for dialogue,” the spokesperson explained.
She emphasized that both nations “attach importance to and welcome China’s mediation efforts, and are willing to sit down again for talks, which is a positive development.”
The diplomatic progress comes amid continued violence, as Pakistani authorities have documented an increase in militant attacks over recent years, with many attributed to the Pakistani Taliban organization.
Despite the renewed negotiations, violence persisted Thursday evening when a suicide attacker drove an explosive-filled vehicle into a police facility in Pakistan’s northwestern Bannu district, resulting in at least five deaths and multiple injuries, according to police reports.
Pakistani officials frequently claim that Afghanistan provides sanctuary for militants conducting cross-border attacks, particularly members of the Pakistani Taliban, known as TTP.
This organization operates separately from but maintains ties with Afghanistan’s Taliban, which assumed control of the country in 2021 after U.S.-led forces departed. Afghan officials reject allegations of supporting the militant group.
Cross-border hostilities intensified in February when Afghanistan’s Taliban administration reported that Pakistan conducted military strikes in Kabul and other locations, resulting primarily in civilian casualties. Pakistani officials stated they targeted TTP strongholds but also declared being in “open war” with Afghanistan.
