Pakistan-Afghanistan Peace Talks Open in Urumqi, China

Senior officials from Pakistan and Afghanistan convened in Urumqi, northwestern China, for the first formal round of ceasefire talks since the post-Ramadan truce expired. China brokered the session. Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi confirmed a 'mid-level delegation' traveled to Urumqi. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry stated: 'The burden of a real process lies with Afghanistan, which must demonstrate visible and verifiable action against terrorist groups using Afghan soil against Pakistan.' Earlier mediation attempts had been held in Qatar and Turkey. Talks came even as Pakistani shelling of Kunar, Paktika, and Khost continued simultaneously, highlighting the fragility of the diplomatic process.