China’s foreign ministry says both sides also agree not to take measures that could escalate and complicate the situation
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning gestures during a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing on May 24, 2023. PHOTO: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY
China’s Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that during peace talks in Urumqi, Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed to explore a comprehensive solution to the conflict that erupted between the two countries last October.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning told a daily press briefing that both countries agreed at the meetings in China not to take actions that would escalate or complicate the situation. Mao added that China will continue to communicate with both countries and provide a platform for dialogue.
Pakistan conveyed three core demands to the Afghan Taliban during the Urumqi talks as China tried to convince both sides to agree on a five-point framework to resolve issues.
The three demands initially made by Islamabad include that Kabul formally declare Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan a terrorist organization, dismantle its infrastructure and provide verifiable evidence of the action. These demands form the basis of Pakistan’s negotiating position, which sources say has hardened due to persistent security concerns.
Read also: 796 Afghan Taliban killed, 286 checkpoints destroyed in Operation Ghazab Lil Haq so far: Tarar
Last week, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said 796 Afghan Taliban militants have been killed and more than 1,043 wounded during the ongoing “Operation Ghazab Lil Haq” launched in response to “unprovoked action” from across the Afghan border.
The operation resumed after a temporary pause in deference to Eidul Fitr celebrations and requests from Islamic countries. The break ended at midnight between March 23 and 24.
It was launched over a month ago in retaliation for the Afghan Taliban forces firing at several locations. Islamabad said its airstrikes in February that triggered the escalation were targeting terrorists. Islamabad accused Afghanistan of failing to act against terrorist groups that carry out attacks in Pakistan, which the Taliban government denied.
Giving a summary of the Afghan Taliban regime’s losses on its X account, the information minister said 286 checkpoints had been destroyed and 44 others captured by Pakistani security forces.
“Two hundred and forty-nine tanks, armored vehicles and artillery guns have also been destroyed during the operation,” he said. He added that airstrikes effectively targeted 81 locations in Afghanistan.
“As part of these operations on the night of 2/3 April, an attempt to physically attack a border post in the Ghulam Khan Sector by the Afghan Taliban/FAK (Fitna al-Khawarij) were comprehensively repulsed, suffering heavy casualties, including up to 37 sent to hell and 80+ wounded,” Tarar said.



