Efforts by Saudi Arabia to mediate a ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan have reportedly fallen short of achieving a resolution. Sources have indicated that a Taliban delegation engaged in talks with Pakistani representatives in Riyadh, but these discussions failed to produce any tangible results.
This latest round of negotiations aimed to de-escalate the persistent tensions and sporadic clashes along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Islamabad has accused Kabul of harboring anti-Pakistan militants, while Afghanistan denies these allegations and points to the forced expulsion of Afghan refugees.
The inability to reach a consensus in Riyadh follows similar unsuccessful attempts by other international mediators, including Turkey and Qatar. The border region has been a flashpoint for over a month, characterized by intense fighting and Pakistan’s aerial bombardments within Afghan territory.
Beyond the security concerns, the prolonged closure of the Durand Line border crossing is inflicting significant economic hardship. Afghanistan’s Ministry of Economy has appealed to neighboring nations to keep trade separate from political disagreements. The Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry has also highlighted the considerable losses faced by traders due to the suspended trade activities, underscoring the need for a swift resumption of cross-border commerce.