The first round of trilateral talks between Pakistan, Afghanistan and China concluded in Urumqi on Wednesday, marking a cautious diplomatic re-engagement after weeks of heightened tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, official sources said.

Senior officials from all three countries participated in the meeting, with Pakistan represented by Additional Foreign Secretary Syed Ali Asad Gillani. The Afghan Taliban delegation comprised six members, while China hosted and facilitated the dialogue.

According to sources, Pakistan strongly reiterated its demand for the elimination of terrorist sanctuaries inside Afghanistan, particularly those linked to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Islamabad also called for a verifiable and written mechanism to ensure concrete action against such groups.

The Afghan Taliban side, after internal consultations, indicated a positive response to Pakistan’s concerns, signalling potential movement toward de-escalation, sources added.

All three sides agreed to continue the trilateral dialogue process, underlining China’s role in sustaining diplomatic engagement between Islamabad and Kabul.

The talks come against the backdrop of strained relations following Pakistan’s launch of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq on February 26, targeting militant hideouts inside Afghan territory. Diplomatic contact between the two neighbours had largely stalled since the operation began.

Pakistan has consistently maintained that terrorist groups, including the TTP, operate from Afghan soil. The Taliban administration has largely failed to act upon.

The military operation was initiated after unprovoked cross-border firing by Afghan Taliban forces.

A temporary pause in hostilities was observed from March 18 to 23 on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, partly in response to de-escalation efforts by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye.

Pakistan’s military leadership has repeatedly stressed that lasting peace with Afghanistan hinges on decisive action against militant groups.

Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir earlier stated that stability in the region would remain elusive unless the Afghan Taliban government severed all links with terrorist organisations.

While no formal agreement was announced, Wednesday’s meeting signals a possible diplomatic opening, with both sides showing willingness to re-engage under China’s mediation.