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Afghan Peace Conference in China Delayed After Moscow 4-Party Meeting
An intra-Afghan meeting that was scheduled to be held in China delayed for an unspecified period of time after representatives of United States, China, Russia, and Pakistan met in Moscow on Friday.
The two-day conference was scheduled for October 28 between representatives of Taliban and Afghan politicians including Kabul government officials.
Haji Din Mohammad, an Afghan politician who is invited to the Beijing conference told Ariana News that the intra-Afghan conference has delayed for a couple of days.
Mawlawi Qalamuddin, a former Taliban official who is also invited to the conference confirmed the postponement.
“There might be 25 participants close to [Former President Hamid] Karzai, 10 government representatives and 15 Taliban representatives that will participate at the conference,” said Mohammad Hassan Haqyar, a pro-Taliban analyst.
Both the Afghan government and the Taliban insurgent group say their representatives will take part in the meeting.
“The Afghan government is working to prepare a proper list of participants for China conference,” said Najia Anwari, a spokesperson of State Ministry for Peace Affairs.
The Taliban said in a statement that Beijing has invited them to the conference and its delegation will participate under the leadership of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.
In addition, on Friday meeting, Russia, China and Pakistan have called for an early resumption of talks between the United States and the Taliban to reach an agreement about ending the war in Afghanistan.
“Russia, China and Pakistan expressed their support for the earliest resumption of negotiation process and reaching an agreement between the United States of America and the Taliban movement, which will pave the way for launching intra-Afghan talks,” a post-meeting statement noted.
Meanwhile, the four-party meeting have called on all warring parties in Afghanistan to observe a ceasefire for the duration of intra-Afghan negotiations.
The participants of Moscow meeting have also called on the Afghan government and Taliban to release “significant numbers of prisoners at the start of intra-Afghan negotiations.”
At least two civilians have been killed and eight others wounded following fresh shelling by Pakistan across the disputed Durand Line in Afghanistan’s Kunar province, local authorities said Wednesday.
Officials reported that over the past 24 hours, Pakistani forces fired approximately 85 rockets targeting residential areas across several districts, causing damage to civilian homes and heightening fears among local communities.
According to Zia-ur-Rahman Spin Ghar, head of information at the provincial Directorate of Information and Culture, the heaviest casualties were recorded in Nari district, where one civilian was killed and six others injured. In Sarkano district, another civilian lost their life, while two more people were wounded.
Additional rockets struck areas including Shultan, Marawara, and the outskirts of Asadabad. While no casualties were reported in those strikes, residents described widespread panic and property damage.
Escalating tensions
The latest incident comes amid a broader escalation in cross-Durand Line violence between Afghanistan and Pakistan in recent weeks. Residents in frontier provinces have repeatedly reported shelling, displacement, and disruption to daily life.
Spin Ghar also confirmed that Afghan forces responded with retaliatory strikes, claiming to have destroyed three Pakistani military outposts and killed one Pakistani soldier. There has been no immediate confirmation from Pakistani authorities.
Growing humanitarian concerns
The ongoing hostilities have raised concerns about civilian safety in these areas where communities often find themselves caught in the crossfire. Aid groups warn that continued shelling could lead to further displacement and strain already limited local resources.
With no clear signs of de-escalation, observers say urgent dialogue is needed to prevent further civilian casualties and stabilize the volatile region.
At the 95th Standing Committee of UNHCR, the European Union and its Member States called for urgent de-escalation of tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, stressing the need for dialogue and respect for international law.
In a statement, the EU urged all sides to avoid further escalation, ensure the protection of civilians, and uphold territorial integrity. It also reiterated that Afghan soil should not be used to threaten or attack other countries, calling on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to take effective action against militant groups operating within or from the country.
The bloc further expressed concern over the broader humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, highlighting restrictions that continue to affect the work of international organizations and humanitarian partners.
A key issue raised was the return of more than four million Afghans from Iran and Pakistan over the past two years, which the EU said has placed additional strain on Afghanistan’s already fragile economy and public services. It voiced particular concern over forced deportations and emphasized the importance of respecting the right to seek asylum and the principle of non-refoulement.
A group of religious scholars from Afghanistan and Pakistan have called on authorities in both countries to extend the pause in hostilities, initially announced for Eid ul-Fitr, until Eid ul-Adha.
The appeal comes after Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan’s Information Minister, announced a temporary ceasefire from March 18–19 midnight until March 23–24 midnight.
In a joint statement signed by 11 Pakistani clerics and as many Afghan clerics, the scholars emphasized that their initiative aims to promote a sustainable and dignified resolution to tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, Dawn newspaper reported.
The clerics urged both Pakistani authorities and the Afghan side to extend the ceasefire to allow pilgrims to perform Hajj in a peaceful environment. They added that this “peace movement” goes beyond the ceasefire appeal and includes broader diplomatic and social efforts to resolve longstanding issues between the two countries.
The scholars expressed hope that their efforts would lead to a mutually acceptable solution and help lay the foundation for lasting stability and regional harmony.
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