Pakistan and China have jointly called for more "visible and verifiable" actions to dismantle terrorist organizations that operate from inside Afghanistan. The joint statement came after talks between Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on December 4. They emphasized the threats posed by terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan, which they stated jeopardize both regional and global security, and reiterated the importance of ensuring Afghan territory is not utilized for militant activities against any nation.
In their discussions, China commended Pakistan for its "comprehensive counterterrorism measures" designed to safeguard Chinese citizens and investments, particularly concerning the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This initiative is a major facet of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to enhance connectivity between China's western Xinjiang region and Pakistan's Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea. As part of CPEC, thousands of Chinese workers and engineers are involved in projects that improve infrastructure in the region. However, the safety of these workers has been a concern, especially following a suicide bombing in 2024 that killed five Chinese nationals when a car bomber attacked a bus in northwest Pakistan.
In August, high-ranking diplomats from Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan convened in Kabul, committing to collaborate on extending CPEC into Afghanistan. However, tangible progress on this initiative has yet to be observed. Meanwhile, Pakistan has consistently accused the Taliban regime in Afghanistan of harboring the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a group responsible for a surge in violent attacks within Pakistan since 2021. The TTP is distinct from Afghanistan's Taliban, which took power in 2021 and claims to prohibit its territory from being exploited for international terrorist strikes.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated significantly since early October when Pakistani airstrikes targeted locations in Afghanistan that were purportedly TTP hideouts, resulting in numerous insurgent casualties. Afghan forces subsequently retaliated, claiming to have killed 58 Pakistani soldiers, while Pakistan acknowledged the loss of 23 of its troops. This cycle of violence was temporarily halted thanks to a ceasefire brokered by Qatar in Doha, which was subsequently followed by talks in Istanbul that unfortunately did not yield further agreements.
The ongoing situation highlights the complex dynamics between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China, particularly concerning security and counterterrorism efforts. The joint statement underscores the urgent need for collaborative measures to address the threats posed by militancy in the region and improve stability in Afghanistan, ultimately affecting the broader regional security landscape.
