Officials from Pakistan and the Afghan interim administration are holding a low-profile diplomatic meeting in Urumqi to explore a phased de-escalation framework based on prior rounds of discussions held in multiple countries.
A new round of diplomatic engagement between Pakistan and the Afghan interim government is underway in Urumqi, where officials are discussing a possible roadmap for reducing tensions and improving bilateral coordination.
According to sources familiar with the matter, two Pakistani officials and a representative of the Afghan Taliban administration are participating in the meeting, which builds upon earlier discussions held in three different countries as part of an ongoing backchannel process.
The talks are taking place during the visit of a Chinese special envoy who has been shuttling between Islamabad and Kabul in recent weeks, facilitating indirect communication and encouraging continued dialogue between the two sides.
Officials described the engagement as deliberately low-profile, with both sides agreeing to avoid public attention unless significant progress is achieved. The aim, according to sources, is to develop a structured “de-escalation ladder” that could gradually reduce tensions and stabilize cross-border relations.
Despite the meeting, neither Pakistan nor the Afghan side has issued an official statement regarding expectations or potential outcomes of the process. It remains unclear whether the discussions will lead to a long-term or permanent diplomatic breakthrough.
The confidential nature of the talks highlights ongoing sensitivity in regional relations, even as external stakeholders continue to push for sustained dialogue and stability in the region.
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