ISLAMABAD: Turkey and Qatar have intensified diplomatic efforts to defuse rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, officials and media reports said.
According to journalist Aizaz Syed, Ankara has taken an active role in backchannel contacts. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke by phone with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. He later contacted Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to urge restraint.
Qatar also stepped in. Its minister of state for foreign affairs held separate calls with the foreign ministers of both countries to push for dialogue and de-escalation.
Fidan subsequently spoke with Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister to coordinate mediation efforts and explore a peaceful resolution.
Iran offered to help. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed readiness to play a constructive role. Egypt and Saudi Arabia also reached out to discuss the situation.
China also voiced concern. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing is closely monitoring developments and urged both sides to resolve the dispute immediately.
Russia also expressed concern over the escalation. The United States has not issued a formal statement so far.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office warned that it will respond firmly to any further provocation by the Taliban administration or militant groups operating from Afghan territory. Diplomatic sources said mediation efforts remain underway.
Earlier on Friday, Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry briefed the media. He said Pakistani forces had killed 274 Taliban fighters in recent engagements, while 12 Pakistani soldiers were martyred.
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He added that during Operation Ghazab Lil-Haq, Pakistani forces destroyed 73 posts belonging to the Taliban regime.
