Diplomatic clarification amid mediation efforts
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office of Pakistan on Monday rejected reports by various media channels that Islamabad had refused China’s offer to hold talks with the Afghan Taliban. Officials said the reports were baseless and did not reflect coordination between the two countries.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan and China remain trusted partners. He said both countries maintain continuous communication on issues of mutual concern. Therefore, he added, there was no need for speculation that Pakistan had refused Beijing’s offer.
China has also offered to help ease tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the current focus should be on preventing the conflict from escalating. He added that both countries should return to the negotiating table as soon as possible.
Lin said China is ready to continue efforts to support reconciliation between Islamabad and Kabul. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently asked Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to resolve issues with Pakistan through dialogue instead of force.
However, the situation between the two countries remains tense. Since the Afghan Taliban seized power in 2021, Pakistan has raised concerns about militant groups operating from Afghan territory.
Security operations and rising incidents
However, at the same time, security tensions along the border have also increased. Pakistani forces conducted an operation dubbed Operation Ghazab lil Haq. The operation was launched in retaliation for unprovoked firing from the other side of the border on February 26.
According to security sources, the operation targeted hideouts of Afghan Taliban fighters and militants. These hideouts were located in the Kurram area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Several militants were killed during the operation. However, some managed to escape.
In addition, Pakistani forces targeted Taliban hideouts in the Bajaur region across the border. They used guided missiles during the strikes. The operation is still ongoing. Officials say it will continue until the objectives are achieved.
Furthermore, the situation in Bannu district also remained tense. Two people were kidnapped and later murdered by unknown gunmen in separate incidents. Meanwhile, police intercepted an attempted militant attack on a security post. Officers detected suspicious movement with the help of a thermal camera.
