Khalilzad Urges Afghanistan and Pakistan to Resolve Tensions Through Diplomacy

Former United States special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has emphasized the importance of using diplomacy to address ongoing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. These tensions have been heightened by reports of Afghan airstrikes on targets associated with the Islamic State in Pakistani territory.

In his comments posted on the platform X, Khalilzad referred to a statement from the Afghan Ministry of Defense. The statement detailed operations conducted against ISIS-linked targets located in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, regions under the control of Pakistan.

Khalilzad called for the establishment of a durable agreement between the two countries. Such an agreement would ensure that neither Afghanistan nor Pakistan permits the use of its soil for activities that threaten the other.

He expressed that Afghanistan is prepared to participate in direct talks aimed at de-escalating the situation. To facilitate this process, Khalilzad recommended that Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates become involved as mediators.

Furthermore, he highlighted a proposal from Turkey to set up an operational center in the Turkish capital of Ankara. This center would allow Turkey to play the role of an observer in efforts to reduce conflicts between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Khalilzad urged these nations to resume their previous efforts in helping to manage and diminish the tensions affecting the region.