Pakistan and Afghanistan have launched junior-level diplomatic talks in China, diplomatic sources confirmed to Geo News on Wednesday.
According to the diplomatic sources, Islamabad is prepared to engage with Kabul through dialogue but will not alter its policy on targeting terrorist hideouts after the neighbours engaged in the worst fighting since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
To lead the discussions, Pakistan has appointed the Foreign Ministry’s additional secretary to represent Islamabad in the talks.
The meeting in the northwestern city of Urumqi comes after Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar travelled to Beijing on Tuesday to meet his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.
The pair discussed Islamabad’s role in trying to get the United States and Iran to the negotiating table, and set out a joint five-point plan for an end to the conflict.
Dar then returned to Islamabad on Wednesday.
China has sought to mediate in the escalating conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan says it is targeting extremists who have carried out cross-border attacks.
Islamabad launched air strikes on Afghanistan on February 26 as the Taliban were providing a safe haven to militants carrying out attacks in Pakistan.
