World leaders urge Pakistan, Afghanistan to end fighting

Global powers and international leaders, including China, Russia, and the UK, have called for an immediate ceasefire and diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Qatar once again appears to be mediating. Its minister of state, Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi, spoke on Friday with the foreign ministers of Afghanistan and Pakistan in an effort to de-escalate tensions, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on X.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan also spoke with his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, according to a Saudi statement.

“Riyadh and Doha have been in contact at the highest levels with both sides, and we hope the confrontation will end as soon as possible,” the source added.

Taliban fighters look up while manning an armed pickup truck at the Afghan side of the Ghulam Khan crossing with Pakistan in Khost province. AP

China also called on Friday for a ceasefire between Afghanistan and Pakistan, adding it was talking to both sides to try to end violent clashes that had left Beijing "deeply concerned."

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said China was "deeply concerned about the escalation of the conflict," after Pakistan bombed major cities in Afghanistan including the capital Kabul on Friday.

China "calls on both sides to remain calm and exercise restraint... achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible, and avoid further bloodshed," she told a regular press briefing.

A Pakistani soldier stands guard at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Chaman. AFP

"China has consistently mediated the conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan through its own channels and is willing to continue playing a constructive role in easing tensions."

The ministry and China's embassies in Pakistan and Afghanistan were "working with relevant parties in both countries on this matter," she said.

China has requested both countries ensure the safety of Chinese citizens, projects and institutions, Mao said on Friday.

She said Beijing was closely monitoring the situation and would provide assistance to any of its citizens in need.

Russia urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to ⁠halt cross-border attacks immediately and resolve their differences by diplomatic means.

Russia is the only country to officially recognise the Taliban government of Afghanistan, and also has good relations with Pakistan.

"Of ⁠course, the direct military clashes that have taken place do not bode well. Therefore we hope that they will cease as soon as possible... Like everyone else, we are closely monitoring this situation," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Peskov confirmed a visit to Russia by Prime Minister Shahbaz ⁠Sharif was being prepared, without giving a date. State news agency RIA said it would happen next week.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow was concerned by the sharp military escalation between the two neighbours.

"We call on our friends Afghanistan and Pakistan ⁠to abandon this dangerous confrontation and return to the negotiating table to resolve all differences through political and diplomatic ⁠means," she wrote on Telegram.

Britain was "deeply concerned by the significant escalation in tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan," UK Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper said after Islamabad bombed major Afghan cities including the capital Kabul.

"We urge both sides to take immediate steps toward deescalation, avoid further harm to civilians, and reengage in mediated dialogue," Britain's top diplomat said on X.

Iran offered to help facilitate dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan. "The Islamic Republic of Iran stands ready to provide any assistance necessary to facilitate dialogue and to enhance understanding and cooperation between the two countries," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X.

Later on Friday, his ministry urged the "two sides to respect each other's territorial integrity and national sovereignty and to refrain from any action that could escalate tensions and conflict.

Later during the day, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Guterres "is deeply concerned by the escalation of violence we're seeing between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the impact that violence is having on civilian populations," his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. "He calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, and he reiterates his call on the parties to resolve any differences through diplomacy," the spokesman added.

The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross called on Friday for a de-escalation of hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan, insisting that civilians must be protected and healthcare access guaranteed.

"We are witnessing a profound escalation of hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan," ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric said in a statement, calling for "restraint and de-escalation."

She highlighted that the upsurge in violence was harming people in a region that had "already endured decades of conflict, displacement and loss". "They have seen and felt the impact of war on their loved ones in their communities," she said.

Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged cross-border attacks overnight in a dramatic escalation of tensions that led Pakistan's defence minister to say on Friday that the two countries are in a state of "open war."

Afghanistan launched a cross-border attack on Pakistan late on Thursday, saying it was in retaliation for deadly Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan border areas Sunday. Pakistan then carried out airstrikes in Kabul and two other Afghan provinces early on Friday, saying it targeted military installations.

After the Afghan strikes, Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif said in a post on X: "Our patience has now run out. Now it is open war between us."

Agencies