Former Pakistani Ambassador Calls to Revive Afghanistan-Pakistan-China Trilateral Mechanism to Ease Tensions
As the seventh round of China-Pakistan strategic talks begins in Beijing, Mansoor Ahmad Khan, former Pakistani ambassador to Kabul, has called for a renewed examination of the trilateral mechanism involving Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China to manage tensions between Kabul and Islamabad.
According to him, this framework could play an effective role in reducing violence and addressing fundamental challenges between the two countries; challenges that include the activities of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, security concerns, cross-border movement of residents, and the resumption of trade and transit.
Ahmad Khan added that targeted use of this mechanism could specifically help counter the activities of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, manage the disputed border line between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and pave the way for normalizing people-to-people movement and economic activities—issues that in recent years have faced serious restrictions due to security tensions and lack of effective coordination.
The Afghanistan-Pakistan-China trilateral mechanism was established in 2012 with the aim of conducting regular talks on security cooperation, countering terrorism, and expanding regional trade. However, critics argue that ongoing insecurity and the lack of practical commitment from the Taliban administration to address neighbors’ security concerns have challenged the effectiveness of such initiatives.
Earlier, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had also announced that Beijing will continue its constructive role in improving and expanding relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
