What happened
Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban government resumed peace talks in Urumqi, western China, with Beijing mediating. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the discussions. Afghanistan sent officials from foreign affairs, defence, interior, and intelligence ministries.
Pakistan demands “visible and verifiable action against terrorist groups using Afghan soil,” specifically targeting the TTP (Pakistani Taliban) and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement.
Why it matters: The two countries have been in open conflict since February, when Pakistan launched airstrikes on four Afghan provinces targeting TTP and ISIS-K camps. At least 289 Afghan civilians have been killed, over 115,000 displaced.
Progress and obstacles
Taliban sources indicated greater willingness to act on commitments and agreed to consider a verifiable mechanism to address TTP and ETIM. China’s Foreign Ministry said the “consultation process is being steadily implemented and advanced.”
However, Afghanistan’s deputy government spokesperson reported Pakistan was “continuously carrying out mortar, missile and drone attacks” on eastern provinces during the negotiations, with two killed and 25 wounded, mostly children.
Earlier ceasefire rounds in Qatar and Turkey collapsed after Pakistan struck Kabul in late February. Pakistan claims 464 Afghan Taliban fighters killed. Afghanistan claims 32 Pakistani soldiers killed.
What happens next
Talks continue with no announced timeline. China has strong motivation as mediator given the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Belt and Road Initiative. The key test is whether the Taliban will follow through on verifiable anti-TTP mechanisms while border violence persists.