Taliban Delegation Holds Talks with Pakistan in China Amid Border Clashes
A five-member Taliban delegation participated in talks with a Pakistani delegation in China, five weeks after border clashes began on February 26 between Afghan and Pakistani forces.
The Taliban delegates were Mohammadullah Waseeq and Abdul Hay Qanit from the Foreign Ministry, Arefullah from the Interior Ministry, Ruhullah Omar from the Defense Ministry, and Yahya Takal from the Intelligence Directorate.
The discussions occur amid ongoing exchanges of fire along the border and Pakistani airstrikes in Afghan territory. The United Nations reported more than 76 civilian deaths in eastern Afghanistan during the first two weeks of the clashes.
A Pakistani Foreign Ministry official told Dawn that the talks are not aimed at an immediate ceasefire and that Pakistan will not agree until its demands are met. Pakistan claims its operations target Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants operating from Afghan soil, a charge rejected by the Taliban.
In a recent incident around 4:50 p.m., Pakistani shelling in the "Now Aps Dosarka" area of Sarkano district, Kunar province, killed one person and wounded five others, including four children. Clashes continue in Dangam district, Kunar province, with no comment from Pakistan.
Previous efforts, including a "Joint Peace Jirga" in Peshawar that called for a ceasefire, have produced limited results and lacked Afghan representatives.
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