Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan Reaffirm Trilateral Cooperation, Focus on Terrorism and CPEC Expansion
Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan on Wednesday reiterated their commitment to strengthening joint efforts against terrorism while broadening cooperation in political, economic, and security fields.
The resolve was expressed during the Sixth Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue in Kabul, attended by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the three countries agreed to step up counter-terrorism collaboration and expand partnerships in trade, transit, health, education, culture, regional connectivity, and anti-narcotics initiatives. A key outcome was consensus on extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan.
Counter-terrorism concerns
Before the trilateral talks, Dar met Muttaqi separately, raising serious concerns over the surge in terrorist attacks in Pakistan traced to Afghan-based groups. He urged Kabul to take “concrete and verifiable” action against proscribed outfits such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and its militant wing, the Majeed Brigade.
Dar’s remarks followed the recent U.S. decision to designate the BLA and Majeed Brigade as Foreign Terrorist Organisations. Citing figures from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, he highlighted that July alone witnessed 82 militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, killing 101 people and injuring 150.
Bilateral progress despite challenges
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Despite security concerns, the Foreign Office reported that both sides expressed satisfaction with growing bilateral ties. They welcomed the upgrade of diplomatic missions from chargé d’affaires to ambassadorial level, a decision first reached during the May trilateral meeting in Beijing.
Dar recalled his earlier visits to Kabul in April and July, which had strengthened trade and transit cooperation. However, he stressed that progress on counter-terrorism still lagged behind political and economic engagement.
China’s role in regional stability
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi underlined Beijing’s role in reviving the trilateral forum after a two-year break, saying stability was essential for regional economic integration under the Belt and Road Initiative. He noted that the Beijing meeting in May had laid the foundation for extending CPEC into Afghanistan.
Afghan FM Muttaqi reaffirmed that Afghan soil would not be used by terrorist groups against Pakistan or any other country. Dar thanked Kabul for hosting the talks, calling the trilateral dialogue a key mechanism for shaping future cooperation in the region.