Pakistan has confirmed it is participating in a new round of peace talks with Afghanistan’s Taliban government in China. These discussions are taking place as Beijing attempts to broker a lasting ceasefire after weeks of fighting that have resulted in hundreds of deaths and disrupted trade and travel between the two nations.

Confirmation of Talks

The confirmation of these talks came shortly after officials from both countries informed the Associated Press that representatives had traveled to Urumqi in northern China for the initial round of discussions. The current status of the negotiations is ongoing, according to Pakistani officials.

Pakistan's Stance

“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,” stated a Pakistani official. He emphasized that a genuine process requires Afghanistan to take “visible and verifiable action against terrorist groups using Afghan soil against Pakistan.”

Pakistan maintains its commitment to dialogue on the issue and continues to engage with Chinese leadership and other international partners. However, Pakistan is seeking written assurances from Kabul that Afghan territory will not be used for attacks against Pakistan.

China's Role and Recent Clashes

While China has not officially confirmed the talks, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated on Thursday that the Xi Jinping administration is “actively mediating and facilitating the resolution of conflicts between Afghanistan and Pakistan.” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning affirmed China’s support for both sides to resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiation.

Accusations and Counter-Accusations

Recent tensions escalated with accusations from Afghanistan that Pakistan fired mortars into Afghan territory on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of two civilians and injuries to six others, including four children. Farid Dehqan, a police spokesperson for the eastern Afghan province of Kunar, reported that the shelling continued for two hours.

Pakistan dismissed these accusations, stating that its operations against militants are conducted with care to avoid civilian casualties.

Underlying Issues and History of Conflict

Pakistan has long accused Afghanistan of providing a safe haven to militants, particularly the Pakistani Taliban (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP), who carry out attacks within Pakistan. The TTP is allied with the Afghan Taliban, which seized control of Afghanistan in 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces. Kabul denies these allegations.

The recent fighting represents the deadliest period since February, when Afghanistan’s Taliban government accused Pakistan of launching strikes in Kabul and other areas, causing civilian casualties. Pakistan stated it targeted TTP hideouts. Tensions were particularly high last month following an Afghan claim that a Pakistani airstrike in Kabul resulted in over 400 deaths – a claim Pakistan disputed.

Previous attempts at a ceasefire were agreed upon but were broken in late February when Pakistan conducted strikes in Afghanistan, leading to border clashes that have recently subsided. The ongoing violence has raised concerns within the international community, given the presence of groups like al-Qaida and the Islamic State group in the region.