ICG urges mediation to cool Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions

The International Crisis Group has urged Pakistan and Afghanistan to resume dialogue through mediation by friendly countries as tensions over cross-border militancy continue to rise. The report said the worsening security environment along the border, driven largely by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan activity, has pushed relations to a dangerous point and increased the risk of deeper confrontation.

According to the assessment, Pakistan should combine firm security measures with broader political and administrative coordination, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It also recommended easing pressures that have harmed trade and vulnerable Afghan nationals, while using backchannel or facilitated diplomacy with countries such as Qatar, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia to prevent the dispute from turning into a larger conflict.