ISLAMABAD — Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi stated on Thursday that while Pakistan is engaged in senior-level talks with Afghanistan in Urumqi, China, any lasting de-escalation depends entirely on Kabul demonstrating “visible and verifiable actions” against terrorist groups.
The briefing, held in Islamabad, marks the first formal confirmation of diplomatic engagement since the February 26 launch of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, which had largely frozen bilateral ties between the two neighbors.
You carry out bl*sts, k*ll innocent people, and then pretend to seek dialogue? Pakistan’s leadership and people will no longer fall for this nonsense and hypocrisy. First, eliminate the terr*rist bases, then come to the negotiating table. DG ISPR, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif… pic.twitter.com/gRz0Xb1c9m
— P Connect (@ConnectingPak) March 28, 2026
Key Highlights
-
The Urumqi Dialogue: Senior officials from Pakistan and Afghanistan are meeting in northwestern China to share perspectives on the recent military escalation.
-
The Chinese Role: Beijing is acting as a facilitator, pushing for confidence-building measures (CBMs) such as the reopening of vital trade routes.
-
Core Demand: Pakistan maintains that the “burden of the process” lies with the Afghan Taliban to stop border terrorism.
-
Regional Peace Initiative: A new five-point China-Pakistan initiative has been launched to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the region.
Diplomatic Re-engagement in China
The talks in Urumqi follow high-level coordination between Islamabad and Beijing. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar visited the Chinese capital earlier this week—notably traveling against medical advice following a hairline fracture—to align strategies with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Spokesperson Andrabi emphasized that Pakistan’s participation in the Urumqi talks is a “reiteration of our core concerns.” He clarified that the discussions are exploratory and focused on a “credible process” to secure a durable solution to cross-border militancy.
A “Milestone” Five-Point Initiative
A significant outcome of the recent Beijing visit is a joint five-point initiative aimed at restoring regional stability. The plan focuses on:
-
Immediate cessation of hostilities.
-
Commencement of peace talks as soon as possible.
-
Finding a sustainable pathway toward a lasting settlement.
-
Enhancing regional coordination to prevent conflict spillover.
-
Strengthening economic connectivity as a pillar for peace.
Broader Regional De-escalation
Beyond the Afghan conflict, the FO spokesperson highlighted Pakistan’s role in a “quadrilateral push” involving Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt. This group, chaired by FM Dar, is working to de-escalate the month-long conflict between the United States and Iran, which has threatened global energy supplies.
Islamabad Cites Taliban Support for “Terrorist Infrastructure”
Pakistan announces renewed operations against Afghanistan, saying strikes will continue until security objectives are met and militant networks are addressed #EuroPost pic.twitter.com/8tzLAOTWa9
— EuroPost Agency (@EuroPostAgency) March 27, 2026
Status of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq
The Foreign Office reaffirmed that the military operation, initiated after unprovoked firing by Afghan forces in late February, remains active. Although a five-day pause was observed for Eid ul Fitr following requests from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkiye, Andrabi made it clear that the operation will continue “until its objectives are achieved.”
The primary objective remains the dismantling of sanctuaries belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad asserts have operated with impunity since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
You May Like To Read: “Devoid of Facts”: Info Ministry Rubbishes Claims of Fence Removal Along Pak-Afghan Border
Check out our latest video:
