Diplomatic efforts by China have helped reduce the recent escalation of clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, according to government sources.
Officials said Beijing played a key role in encouraging both sides to lower tensions after weeks of intense fighting along the long and sensitive border shared by the two countries. The efforts reportedly included a message from Chinese President Xi Jinping, urging restraint and calling for an end to hostilities.
Sources said the message was delivered during a meeting between Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif late last month. The discussions focused on restoring calm and encouraging both countries to avoid further escalation.
Following the diplomatic engagement, the level of violence along the nearly 2,600-kilometre border has decreased. Large-scale confrontations have subsided in recent days, although occasional clashes are still being reported in some areas.
Officials familiar with the developments said China has remained in close contact with both Islamabad and Kabul to help stabilise the situation. Beijing confirmed that its special envoy for Afghan affairs is currently travelling between the two countries to promote dialogue and mediation.
The Chinese foreign ministry said the immediate priority is to prevent the conflict from expanding further and to encourage both sides to return to negotiations as soon as possible.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalated after Pakistan carried out air strikes inside Afghan territory on February 26. Islamabad said the strikes targeted militant hideouts allegedly used by groups responsible for attacks inside Pakistan.
However, authorities in Kabul rejected the accusations. Afghan officials insisted that security problems inside Pakistan are an internal matter and denied providing safe havens to militant groups.
China’s diplomatic initiative comes at a time when other countries that previously facilitated talks between the two neighbours are currently focused on developments in the Middle East. Countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye have been engaged in addressing the wider regional crisis linked to tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
In a related development, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a telephone conversation with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar earlier this week. The two leaders discussed the border situation and broader regional stability.
At the same time, China’s ambassador to Afghanistan Zhao Xing and Beijing’s special envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to discuss the tensions and explore possible diplomatic solutions.
Both Pakistan and Afghanistan have claimed that the clashes caused heavy losses to the opposing side. However, these claims have not been independently verified.
