China\u2019s Special Envoy for Afghanistan Yue Xiaoyong holds talks with Taliban govt acting FM Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul
\n ISLAMABAD
\nChina has stepped in diplomatically to help defuse the ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, urging both sides to resolve their differences through dialogue as cross-border frictions continue to strain ties between the two neighbours.
\nAccording to a statement issued by the Afghan foreign ministry, China\u2019s Special Envoy for Afghanistan Yue Xiaoyong visited Kabul on Sunday and held talks with the Taliban government\u2019s acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to discuss bilateral cooperation as well as the deteriorating security situation in the region.
\nDuring the meeting, the Chinese envoy emphasised Beijing\u2019s desire to see tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan resolved through diplomacy and dialogue. He stressed that preventing further escalation was important for regional stability and security.
\nYue said China was in contact with both Kabul and Islamabad and was actively working to help reduce tensions between the two sides. The statement noted that Beijing supports peaceful engagement between the two neighbours and believes disputes should be settled through diplomatic channels.
\nThe visit comes at a time when relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have hit the lowest point with both sides exchanging intense fire since last 10 days. Pakistan continues to pound targets inside Afghanistan through air and drone strikes. Officials said Islamabad was left with no option but to resort the cross border counter terrorism operations after the Taliban regime failed to rein in terrorist groups targeting Pakistan.
\nIslamabad has repeatedly stated terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil of carrying out attacks inside Pakistan, particularly the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Pakistani officials say the presence of such groups poses a serious threat to the country\u2019s security and have urged the Afghan Taliban authorities to take action against them.
\nTaliban regime, however, has always rejected the charge that it allows terrorist groups to operate from its territory. Kabul has instead accused Pakistan of carrying out military strikes inside Afghan territory and violating its sovereignty.
\nDuring his meeting with the Chinese envoy, Muttaqi shared Kabul\u2019s position regarding what the Afghan side described as \u201caggression\u201d by Pakistan\u2019s military against Afghan territory. He reiterated that the Islamic Emirate prioritises resolving disputes through peaceful means.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
China\u2019s Special Envoy for Afghanistan Yue Xiaoyong holds talks with Taliban govt acting FM Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul ISLAMABAD China has stepped in diplomatically to help defuse the ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, urging both sides to resolve their differences through dialogue as cross-border frictions continue to strain ties between the two neighbours. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":535512,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-535491","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n