Qatar’s premier warns continued clashes between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban could destabilize the wider region as diplomatic efforts intensify
WEB DESK: Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has called for urgent diplomacy to defuse escalating tensions between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, warning the confrontation could destabilize the broader region.
In an interview with Sky News on March 8–9, Al Thani described the situation as a “huge shake-up” for regional stability and stressed that sustained dialogue was the only path to prevent a wider crisis.
The remarks follow statements by Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who declared an “open war” with the Taliban in late February after cross-border air strikes and militant attacks. Border clashes have now entered their twelfth day, with reports of continued fighting and thousands of civilians displaced from frontier regions.
Al Thani also warned that the tensions coincide with escalating instability in the Middle East, particularly rising confrontation involving Iran, raising fears that overlapping crises could deepen regional insecurity.
He noted that Qatar, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia have been leading mediation efforts between Islamabad and Kabul. Talks under the Doha–Istanbul diplomatic track briefly produced a ceasefire in October 2025, but negotiations stalled over Pakistan’s demand that the Taliban curb militants linked to Tehrik‑i‑Taliban Pakistan.
Despite deep mistrust, the Qatari premier said his country remains engaged with all parties, stressing that diplomacy remains the last viable chance to prevent the conflict from expanding into a wider regional crisis.
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