Reports indicate that recent mediation efforts by Saudi Arabia to broker a ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan have unfortunately failed to achieve a breakthrough. Sources have confirmed that a Taliban delegation met with Pakistani officials in Riyadh, but these crucial discussions did not yield the desired results, marking another setback in de-escalating the conflict between the two neighboring nations.
The Afghan Taliban regime has been accused by Islamabad of harboring elements that carry out attacks within Pakistan. Conversely, Kabul denies these allegations and has voiced concerns over the forced return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
This latest attempt at peace follows previous failed negotiations mediated by Turkey and Qatar. Both nations share a volatile border that has seen intense fighting and Pakistani airstrikes into Afghan territory for over a month. The closure of key border crossings, like the Durand Line, has also significantly impacted trade and economic relations, with Afghanistan’s Ministry of Economy urging neighbors to decouple political disputes from economic ties.
Despite a past defense agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, Riyadh has maintained a stance of encouraging restraint rather than direct intervention. The protracted border closure is causing substantial economic losses for traders in both countries, highlighting the urgent need for a resolution.