Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, has confirmed that Doha is actively working to ease tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban, urging inclusive political solutions for countries facing prolonged instability.
Speaking at the 23rd Doha Forum on Sunday, Dec. 7, Sheikh Al-Thani told U.S. journalist Tucker Carlson that nations such as Afghanistan and Palestine require broad political participation to break cycles of conflict. “Crises, whether in Afghanistan, Palestine or elsewhere, cannot be solved without considering those present in the field,” he said, emphasising the importance of engaging actors who hold real power on the ground.
Qatar has long played a central role in Afghanistan diplomacy, hosting the Taliban’s political office and facilitating years of negotiations that culminated in the 2020 Doha Agreement, the U.S. withdrawal, and the Taliban’s return to power. Following recent deadly border clashes between Pakistan and the Taliban, Doha also brokered the first round of talks between the two sides, leading to a brief ceasefire. However, subsequent rounds in Istanbul failed to reach an agreement, and the truce eventually collapsed.
Analysts note that Qatar remains one of the few actors trusted by both Pakistan and the Taliban, giving it unique leverage despite its limited ability to enforce outcomes. Diplomats caution that without a sustained dialogue framework and robust security cooperation, tensions along the border risk escalating further, placing additional strain on an already fragile regional environment.
Sheikh Al-Thani’s remarks underscore Qatar’s continued role as a diplomatic intermediary in South Asia and the Middle East, advocating for negotiations that include all influential parties to achieve durable peace and stability.
