Muttaqi Holds Talks with China’s Foreign Minister Amid Pakistan Tensions

Amir Khan Muttaqi held a telephone conversation with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi amid rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. 

During the call, Muttaqi conveyed Kabul’s position regarding Pakistan’s recent attack on Afghanistan and emphasized Afghanistan’s legitimate right to defend its people and territorial integrity.

At the same time, both sides agreed on the need for political solutions and dialogue to reduce tensions in the region.

Bilal Omar, a political analyst, said: “China’s role in this issue is significant. China has long-standing relations with Pakistan and also maintains good relations with Afghanistan, which means it could be one of the influential countries in helping reduce or even stop the tensions.”

Meanwhile, Zalmay Khalilzad, the former United States Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, described Pakistan’s recent attacks on Afghanistan as unacceptable and harmful.

In a post on X, he wrote that Islamabad should reduce tensions as soon as possible, adding: “I condemn this aggression in the strongest terms. Is the Pakistan establishment capable of leading Pakistan in a responsible manner, or not? Islamabad needs to immediately deescalate and embrace negotiations – otherwise the Afghans are likely to have their answer, resulting in escalation and more suffering in both countries.”

At the same time, Naseer Ahmad Faiq, the Acting Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations, strongly condemned the deadly airstrikes carried out by Pakistan’s military regime on Afghan territory and described the targeting of civilians as a war crime.

Faiq wrote on X: “Murdering innocent civilians, including women and children, is a war crime. The international community must hold Pakistan accountable. These attacks must end NOW.”

Toryalai Zazai, a military analyst, said: “Unfortunately, the United Nations and countries around the world are not reacting to Pakistan’s actions in Afghanistan. The reactions we see from Mr. Khalilzad and Mr. Faiq are largely because they are Afghan.”

More than two weeks have passed since tensions and clashes began between Afghanistan and Pakistan, yet the two sides have not held talks aimed at reducing tensions.