Afghanistan-Pakistan pause fighting for Eid, China plays down diplomatic setback

China on Thursday welcomed a temporary pause in hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan during the festival of Eid al-Fitr, even as questions emerged over Beijing’s effectiveness in brokering peace between the two neighbours.

Speaking at a regular media briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing “welcomes the temporary ceasefire agreement” and appreciates the role played by “relevant Islamic countries” in facilitating the pause. His remarks come amid reports suggesting China’s diplomatic efforts had limited impact in securing the truce.

The ceasefire, announced jointly by Kabul and Islamabad on Wednesday, was reportedly reached at the request of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar. Notably, neither side publicly acknowledged any direct mediation role by China .

Beijing had, however, stepped up engagement in recent days. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held separate talks with Pakistan’s Ishaq Dar and Afghanistan’s Amir Khan Muttaqi , urging both sides to pursue dialogue and de-escalation . China’s special envoy Yue Xiaoyong also travelled between Islamabad and Kabul in an effort to press for a ceasefire under an existing trilateral dialogue mechanism.

Despite these diplomatic overtures, tensions flared sharply. Afghanistan accused Pakistan of carrying out a large-scale airstrike on a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul, claiming that more than 400 patients were killed . The incident, if confirmed, would mark a significant escalation and cast doubt over the durability of the ceasefire.

China has so far refrained from publicly commenting on the reported strike. Responding to speculation that Islamabad acted in defiance of Beijing’s mediation, Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi dismissed such claims as “unnecessary speculation” and “fabrication.” He reiterated that Pakistan and China remain “trusted partners and close friends” who maintain regular communication on issues of mutual concern.

The brief cessation of hostilities, tied to a major religious observance, underscores both the fragility of peace efforts and the complex web of diplomatic influence in the region. While the Eid truce offers temporary relief, the absence of a sustained agreement and continued allegations of violence highlight the challenges facing any long-term resolution between the two countries.