In a significant diplomatic development, Pakistan and China have jointly called for concrete, demonstrable measures to eradicate terrorist networks operating from Afghan territory. This demand was formalized in a joint statement released following high-level talks between Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on December 4.
The bilateral statement emphasized that terrorist organizations based in Afghanistan continue to represent a severe threat to regional and global security. Both nations stressed the critical importance of preventing Afghan soil from being utilized as a launchpad for militant activities against other countries.
China specifically commended Pakistan’s comprehensive counterterrorism efforts, particularly highlighting the protection of Chinese citizens and infrastructure associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This massive infrastructure project, part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, employs thousands of Chinese workers and engineers developing transportation links between China’s Xinjiang region and Pakistan’s Gwadar port.
The diplomatic pressure follows increased regional tensions, including a suicide car bombing in 2024 that killed five Chinese nationals in northwest Pakistan. Pakistan has consistently accused Afghanistan’s Taliban government of providing sanctuary to the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has been responsible for escalating attacks within Pakistan since 2021.
Despite the Taliban’s assurances that Afghan territory isn’t used for cross-border attacks, tensions peaked in early October when Pakistan conducted airstrikes against alleged TTP hideouts in Afghanistan, resulting in dozens of casualties. Afghanistan retaliated with attacks on Pakistani military positions, leading to significant casualties on both sides. While Qatar brokered a temporary ceasefire in Doha, subsequent talks in Istanbul failed to produce substantial diplomatic breakthroughs.