China confirmed Wednesday that Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to avoid escalating their armed conflict following a week of informal trilateral meetings in Urumqi, Xinjiang from April 1-7.
The confirmation from Beijing marks the first official acknowledgment of the China-hosted talks, though diplomats from both Pakistan and Afghanistan had previously reported the meetings. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the three delegations engaged in frank discussions in a positive atmosphere.
Representatives from China, Afghanistan and Pakistan held a week of informal meetings in Urumqi, Xinjiang, from April 1 to 7
Mao Ning, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman — Chinese foreign ministry
The neighboring countries have been locked in violent confrontation since late February over Pakistani claims that Afghanistan harbors extremists responsible for cross-border attacks. The Taliban government in Kabul denies these allegations.
Hostilities escalated sharply when Pakistani airstrikes were followed by an Afghan ground offensive, with Islamabad declaring "open war." The conflict reached a devastating peak on March 16 when a Pakistani strike on a hospital in Kabul killed hundreds of civilians, sparking international condemnation.
Dawn emphasizes Pakistan's consistent position that Afghanistan must take "visible and verifiable actions" against terrorist groups. The outlet frames Pakistan as the aggrieved party seeking legitimate security concerns while maintaining diplomatic engagement through China's mediation efforts.
NDTV presents a balanced account focusing on the diplomatic breakthrough while highlighting the civilian casualties and economic consequences. India's perspective emphasizes regional stability concerns given its own complex relationships with both Pakistan and the Taliban government.