Representatives of Pakistan and the Taliban administration in Afghanistan have resumed talks under the mediation of China, aiming to achieve a lasting ceasefire after more than a month of ongoing clashes.
Delegations from Pakistan and Afghanistan met in the city of Urumqi in northern China.
An Afghan official stated that the five-member Afghan delegation traveling to Urumqi included two representatives from the foreign ministry, as well as one representative each from the defense, interior, and intelligence institutions.
According to sources in Pakistan, the talks in Urumqi began after both sides accepted China’s offer to mediate. The negotiations are expected to last several days and may mark the beginning of a long-term peace process.
Pakistan had previously declared that it was in an “open war” with Afghanistan. During the escalation, there were cross-border clashes as well as airstrikes conducted داخل Afghanistan, including in the capital, Kabul.