Urumqi, China – Negotiations between the Afghan (Taliban-controlled) and Pakistani delegations, brokered by China, have entered a critical phase, with the two sides on the verge of reaching an agreement in principle on key written guarantees.
According to informed sources, including Afghanistan analyst Sami Yousafzai, Pakistan has expressed its readiness to commit in writing to keeping key trade routes open under any circumstances. In return, the Afghan side is ready to formally guarantee that Afghan soil will not be used against Pakistan, especially by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
However, the Taliban insist that they will not take responsibility for any attacks by the TTP inside Pakistan and that they do not hold themselves responsible for the group’s actions. This position has been a key sticking point in the talks.
The most important and still unresolved issue is the establishment of a credible and practical mechanism to monitor and verify the implementation of these commitments. Analysts believe that without an effective system for verification and monitoring, written guarantees will be merely symbolic and will not build lasting trust.
How will Pakistan ensure, through a verified mechanism, that support for the TTP and the group’s use of Afghan territory have truly stopped, asks Sami Yousafzai? Experts believe that finalizing such a mechanism will play a decisive role in establishing long-term stability between the two neighboring countries.
The round of talks, held in the Chinese city of Urumqi, has been facilitated by China, which has tried to focus on building trust, opening trade routes and addressing security concerns on both sides. Pakistan has repeatedly stressed the need for verifiable action against alleged TTP sanctuaries in Afghanistan, while the Taliban has shown greater willingness to make commitments but denies direct responsibility for attacks inside Pakistan.
So far, progress has been reported in the areas of confidence-building and the review of monitoring mechanisms, but various sources, including media reports, indicate that the talks have not yet reached a final conclusion and further rounds may be necessary. 
China has also assessed the process positively and expressed hope that the talks will continue and contribute to reducing tensions and regional stability.
The talks are taking place at a time when border tensions and recent counter-attacks have affected trade and security between the two countries. Its success or failure could affect Afghanistan-Pakistan relations and China's role in the region.
(Based on reports from news sources and analyst statements, April 2026)