Pakistan and Afghanistan hold ceasefire talks in China
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- Pakistan and Afghanistan held their first round of peace talks in Urumqi, China, with Chinese mediation aiming to broker a durable ceasefire after weeks of intense fighting.
- Despite the talks, Afghanistan accused Pakistan of firing mortars into its territory, resulting in civilian casualties, while Pakistan has yet to comment on the allegations.
- The talks follow escalating conflict since February, including Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan and cross-border clashes, with both sides accusing each other of harboring militants.
- China has been urging dialogue since February, with its special envoy facilitating communication between the two countries, as previous peace efforts mediated by Qatar and Saudi Arabia failed to produce lasting agreements.
- A key issue for any agreement is establishing a verification mechanism to prevent Afghan territory from being used for attacks against Pakistan, which remains a critical concern for Islamabad.
