By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has confirmed that talks with Afghanistan are underway in China as part of a trilateral mechanism aimed at addressing cross-border terrorism and regional security concerns, the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi told reporters in Islamabad that a Pakistani delegation has been dispatched to Ürümqi to participate in discussions under the trilateral counterterrorism cooperation framework involving China and Afghanistan.

Responding to a question, Andrabi said the engagement reflects Pakistan’s “consistent position and longstanding practice of supporting credible processes” aimed at achieving a durable solution to militant sanctuaries and halting cross-border attacks originating from Afghan territory.

“Our participation is a reiteration of our core concerns,” Andrabi said, adding that meaningful progress depends on “visible and verifiable actions” by Afghanistan against groups operating from its soil against Pakistan.

The talks, currently ongoing in Ürümqi, are being held at the working level and involve senior officials from the three countries. Andrabi noted that Pakistan’s delegation has not yet returned, and a clearer assessment of the discussions will be available afterward.

“These are working-level talks, which means they comprise senior officials,” he said, adding that he did not have full details on the composition of the Pakistani delegation.

Pakistan has repeatedly raised concerns over militant groups it says are using Afghan territory to launch attacks, urging Kabul to take decisive action. The trilateral mechanism with China is seen as a key diplomatic channel to address these security challenges.

Andrabi emphasized that Pakistan remains actively engaged with Beijing on the issue and has “never shied away from dialogue,” underscoring the importance Islamabad places on regional cooperation.

The talks come amid heightened security concerns in Pakistan’s border regions, where authorities have blamed groups such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan for a surge in attacks. Islamabad has long accused Afghan-based elements of providing safe havens to such groups—an allegation denied by Kabul.

Analysts say the outcome of the Ürümqi talks will be closely watched, as they could shape future cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan and determine whether coordinated efforts can reduce tensions and improve border security in the region.