Early Breakthrough Reported in China-Mediated Negotiations Between Taliban and Pakistan

DID Press: According to international media reports, negotiations between the Taliban and Pakistan in the city of Urumqi have entered a phase in which both sides have reached preliminary understandings on two key issues.

Management of TTP Attacks

The Taliban have agreed that Afghan territory will not be used to launch attacks against Pakistan and that the activities of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in border regions will be restrained. This position aligns with Islamabad’s principal demands. During the Urumqi negotiations, Pakistan presented three core conditions:

• Official designation of TTP as a terrorist organization
• Dismantling of its operational infrastructure
• Provision of verifiable evidence demonstrating Taliban actions against the group

Stability in Border Management

In return, Pakistan has agreed not to close border crossings due to temporary disputes and to adopt a more stable approach to border management. This issue carries particular importance for Afghanistan, as repeated border closures have had damaging consequences for trade, mobility, and local economies.

Background of the Negotiations

The Urumqi talks began several days ago with delegations from the Taliban’s foreign affairs, defense, and intelligence institutions, alongside representatives from Pakistan’s foreign ministry and security agencies. China, acting as mediator, stated that the dialogue process is progressing “steadily” and that all three parties have agreed on an “operational mechanism” for continuing negotiations.

These talks follow months of military tensions along the shared border, which intensified in late February and led to exchanges of fire, airstrikes, and civilian casualties. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring TTP fighters, while Kabul rejects the allegation and describes TTP as an internal Pakistani matter.

China’s Role

China has, in recent weeks, engaged in shuttle diplomacy between Kabul and Islamabad in an effort to bring both sides back to the negotiating table. Beijing says its objective is to reduce tensions, establish a dialogue mechanism, and prevent the conflict from expanding across the region.

Outlook

Despite the preliminary understandings, diplomatic sources emphasize that negotiations remain at an early stage. Achieving a final agreement—particularly regarding verification mechanisms for Taliban actions against TTP—will likely be challenging. Some meetings have concluded without definitive outcomes, though both sides appear willing to continue the dialogue process.