China urges Pakistan, Afghanistan to resolve tensions through dialogue

BEIJING: Wang Yi urged Pakistan and Afghanistan to resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation rather than force during a phone call with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China on Friday.

Wang called on both sides to remain calm, exercise restraint and hold face-to-face talks at the earliest opportunity to secure an immediate ceasefire and address their disputes through diplomatic channels.

“The further use of force will only complicate the situation and intensify tensions,” Wang said during the conversation, as quoted in the ministry’s statement.

China also expressed readiness to assist efforts aimed at easing tensions between the two neighbours. In a post on X, Xu Feihong said Beijing was willing to play an active role in helping promote reconciliation and de-escalation between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The diplomatic outreach came shortly after Pakistan carried out strikes targeting militant camps and associated infrastructure in Afghanistan.

During the call, Wang and Muttaqi also exchanged views on the situation in Iran. Wang said China was prepared to work with the international community, including Afghanistan, to promote peace and stability in the region.

Rising tensions

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated in recent years, particularly since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021.

Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Taliban administration to dismantle militant sanctuaries on Afghan territory, especially those linked to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, which Pakistan blames for numerous cross-border attacks.

Tensions escalated further after a vehicle-borne suicide bombing on February 16 targeted a joint security forces post in Bajaur District near the Afghan border.

According to officials, militants attempted to breach the Malangi check post before ramming an explosives-laden vehicle into its perimeter wall. The attack resulted in the martyrdom of 11 Pakistani soldiers, while a young girl was also killed and seven others—including women and children—were injured when a nearby residential building was damaged in the blast.

Investigators later identified the suicide bomber as Amad, also known as Qari Abdullah or Abu Zar, who was allegedly linked to the Afghan Taliban’s special forces from Balkh Province. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack.

Days later, a lieutenant colonel and a sepoy were martyred in another suicide bombing during an intelligence-based operation in Bannu.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations said militants were continuing to use Afghan territory to carry out attacks inside Pakistan, describing it as a violation even during the holy month of Ramadan.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has previously warned that Islamabad would not hesitate to conduct strikes inside Afghanistan if cross-border attacks persisted.

The deteriorating security situation follows earlier border clashes in October 2025, when fighting along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border resulted in the martyrdom of 23 Pakistani soldiers and the killing of more than 200 Taliban fighters and affiliated militants, according to Pakistani military officials.