- December 1, 2025
Saudi Arabia To Mediate Peace Talks Between Pakistan And Afghanistan; Delegations Reach Riyadh
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Saudi Arabia is looking for a opportunity to reclaim its role as the primary mediator among Muslim countries as tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan continue to escalate.
Saudi Arabia is stepping in as tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have reached a breaking point. (Image: AFP/Representative Image)
Delegations from Afghanistan and Pakistan have reached Saudi Arabia, as Riyadh is set to mediate the latest round of peace talks to halt the deadliest conflict between the two former allies amid mounting tensions, sources told CNN-News18.
The conflict peaked as both sides exchanged deadly cross-border fire last month. Pakistan has consistently blamed the Afghan Taliban for sheltering militant groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has been responsible for a series of deadly attacks in Pakistan.
Reliable sources told CNN-News18 that a high-level delegation from Afghanistan’s Taliban regime has travelled to Saudi Arabia for renewed discussions facilitated by Riyadh. This delegation includes senior Taliban member Anas Haqqani, Deputy Interior Minister Rahmatullah Najib, and Afghan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi.
Sources also reported that a Pakistani delegation has arrived in Saudi Arabia at the same time. With Riyadh acting as mediator, dialogue between Kabul and Islamabad has reportedly resumed. This came after Saudi Chief of General Staff General Fayyadh Bin Hameed Al Rowaili visited Islamabad last month.
What Does Saudi Arabia Get?
According to top intelligence sources, Saudi Arabia is looking for a strategic opening to reclaim its role as the primary mediator among Muslim countries with this step. They feel they have to regain space as Qatar’s influence over the Taliban grows, while Iran also shares deep ties with Kabul.
By meeting both delegations from Afghanistan and Pakistan, Riyadh is showing its capability as a real mediator. Furthermore, intelligence assessments in Riyadh indicate rising threats from the TTP and narcotics routes that eventually reach the Gulf.
Pakistan’s deteriorating internal security environment risks exporting instability to the Gulf, where millions of Pakistani workers reside. Mediating the peace talks will allow the Saudi government to get ahead of potential regional security challenges.
Afghanistan-Pakistan Tensions
Tensions between the two neighbours have risen after Pakistani airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan on November 25 killed ten civilians, for which the Taliban vowed a strong response “at the right time”. However, Pakistan denied carrying out the airstrikes.
The fragile peace along the Durand Line, the disputed border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, has reached a breaking point. CNN-News18 earlier reported that both countries have moved heavy artillery to frontline check posts. Intelligence reports suggest that both nations are preparing for a possible clash, with the situation remaining volatile and unpredictable.
The last rounds of talks, held in Turkey on November 6 and 7, failed to secure a written commitment from Kabul to take action against TTP militants accused of using Afghan territory for terrorist attacks. This was the third consecutive failure in a series of talks mediated by Turkey and Qatar. The process began in Doha on October 29 following deadly border clashes between October 11 and 15. That round ended without progress, leading to the second meeting on October 25 in Istanbul, which also yielded no breakthrough.
About the Author
Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18
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December 01, 2025, 17:52 IST
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