ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have agreed to closely cooperate against Afghanistan-based terrorism, reaffirming their shared commitment to countering terrorist threats emanating from Afghan territory and enhancing bilateral coordination to safeguard regional peace, security and stability.
The understanding was reached on Monday during a visit to Islamabad by China’s Special Representative for Afghan Affairs, Ambassador Yue Xiaoyong, who held delegation-level talks with Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq, and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Following the meeting, Ambassador Sadiq said the two sides held productive discussions on the regional security situation and recent developments in Afghanistan. He said both countries exchanged views on the threats posed by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which they said continue to operate from Afghan soil.
According to Sadiq, Pakistan and China agreed to strengthen bilateral coordination and deepen cooperation to counter terrorism and contribute to regional peace, security and stability.
The discussions took place amid a worsening security situation in Pakistan, with Islamabad maintaining that the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) continues to operate from Afghan territory and launch cross-border attacks into Pakistan.
Islamabad has repeatedly maintained that terrorist groups are using Afghan territory to launch cross-border attacks.
The latest engagement also reflects Beijing’s growing concern over security threats originating from Afghanistan, particularly those posed by the ETIM, which China regards as a major threat to its national security and the stability of its western Xinjiang region.
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Earlier this year, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed their commitment to expanding counterterrorism cooperation during talks in Beijing.
In a joint statement issued after the meeting, both countries called for “visible and verifiable” measures to eliminate terrorist organisations based in Afghanistan and to ensure that Afghan territory is not used for attacks against any country.
The two sides stressed that terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan continue to pose a serious threat to regional and international security, underscoring the need for effective action against such organisations.
China has also continued diplomatic efforts to encourage greater security cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Earlier, Beijing hosted talks in Urumqi involving Pakistani and Afghan officials aimed at reducing border tensions, improving security coordination and addressing cross-border terrorism, but the Afghan regime failed to restrain the TTP.
For Beijing, curbing terrorism is closely linked to the protection of its strategic economic interests, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the wider Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Chinese officials have repeatedly emphasised the importance of ensuring the safety of Chinese nationals, infrastructure projects and regional connectivity initiatives.
The renewed commitment by Pakistan and China signals a continued alignment of their security priorities as both countries seek stronger cooperation to combat terrorism and promote long-term stability across the region.
