SECURITY — April 4, 2026
China Expresses Optimism Over Taliban-Pakistan Negotiations
China has voiced optimism about negotiations between the Taliban and Pakistan, with the Taliban expressing good intentions. Pakistan demands verifiable handovers of TTP leaders like Hafiz Gul Bahadur amid continued military operations and a UN report citing 6,000 TTP forces in Afghanistan.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Afghanistan International — 2 min read
China has expressed optimism regarding negotiations between the Taliban and Pakistan. The Taliban announced their participation in the talks with good intentions, while Pakistan has approached the process cautiously, insisting on a "verifiable and field-measurable" agreement.
Pakistan has demanded that the Taliban hand over key members of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), including commander Hafiz Gul Bahadur, as well as leadership from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). A United Nations Security Council report states that at least 6,000 TTP forces are stationed in Afghanistan.
Prior to the current talks, Pakistan rejected dialogue and continued airstrikes and missile attacks on Taliban targets inside Afghanistan. Pakistani officials believe their Operation "Ghadab lil-Haqq" against Afghan Taliban militants has been successful in reducing attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Pakistan has also launched Operation "Azm-e-Istahkam" targeting TTP fighters. These military efforts underscore ongoing cross-border tensions between Islamabad and Kabul.
Read the original reporting at Afghanistan International →
Reliability assessment
Single source provides concrete, checkable details including UN Security Council report on TTP numbers, named military operations ('غضب للحق', 'عزم استحکام'), and named commander (Hafiz Gul Bahadur); core event of negotiations and cross-border tensions corroborated by specific attributions despite opinionated tone.
The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. Afghanistan International: "practically impossible" (strong opinion dismissing feasibility as absolute); "completely unrealistic in Taliban culture" (cultural judgment framing expectations as naive); "burned all the bridges behind them" (metaphorical hyperbole emphasizing irreparable breakdown).
Independent web corroboration
A separate web search returned 8 matching reports. A selection:
- Pakistan, Afghanistan hold talks in China to end months of conflict | Conflict News | Al Jazeeraaljazeera.com
Pakistan and Afghanistan have confirmed they are holding talks in China aimed at ending the worst conflict between the South Asian neighbours since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Afghanistan and Pakistan have opened a new round of talks in China to end the deadliest fighting between two Muslim nations since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
The two sides will continue their talks on Thursday. China has urged both sides to resume dialogue since late February, and its special envoy, Yue Xiaoyong, met his Pakistani counterpart, Mohammad Sadiq, last month after visiting Kabul.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are holding talks in China to try to end the worst conflict between the South Asian neighbours since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
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Afghanistan International
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Security — Taliban, Pakistan, China, TTP, Hafiz Gul Bahadur
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