KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Richard Lindsay, the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, has said that Britain is working to facilitate the normalisation of relations between the Taliban and Pakistan.
Hamdullah Fitrat, the Taliban’s deputy spokesperson, said in a statement that Lindsay made the remarks during a meeting with Mullah Abdul Wasi, head of the Taliban prime minister’s office, on Saturday, November 14.
According to the statement, Abdul Wasi held a video conference with Lindsay, James Bloomfield, the UK’s Head of Political Affairs, and Faiz Mohammad Wafamal, a political adviser at the British Foreign Office.
Lindsay said the UK was closely monitoring developments in the region and had held meetings and consultations with both sides regarding efforts to resolve disputes between Afghanistan and Pakistan and normalise relations between the two countries.
He added that he would travel to Pakistan in the near future to discuss relevant issues with Pakistani officials and help create conditions for negotiations and an understanding aimed at resolving the ongoing disputes.
Fitrat said Abdul Wasi welcomed and appreciated Britain’s efforts to resolve the problems between the Taliban and Pakistan.
The three British diplomats have previously held several virtual meetings with the head of the Taliban prime minister’s office.
Despite escalating military tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan, which have led to the suspension of economic relations between the two sides, they have maintained diplomatic ties and continued to host each other’s diplomats. However, border crossings remain closed, while clashes along the Durand Line periodically intensify.
The latest British diplomatic initiative comes amid a prolonged deterioration in relations between Pakistan and the Taliban, which escalated following deadly border clashes in October 2025. The conflict has been driven largely by Pakistan’s accusations that the Taliban allow Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants to operate from Afghan territory and launch attacks inside Pakistan. The Taliban have repeatedly rejected these accusations.
The closure of major border crossings, including Torkham and Spin Boldak, has severely disrupted bilateral trade, commercial transportation and the movement of people. The suspension has caused significant economic losses for traders on both sides. In October 2026, Pakistan’s exporters were still reporting substantial losses after a year of disrupted trade.
Several regional countries have attempted to mediate between the two sides. Qatar and Turkey facilitated ceasefire negotiations in October 2025, followed by further diplomatic efforts involving Saudi Arabia. However, subsequent negotiations have failed to produce a lasting settlement, and tensions have continued into 2026.
Britain has also been involved in diplomatic efforts to ease tensions. In April 2026, Lindsay visited Kabul and held discussions with Taliban officials, urging both sides to return to dialogue and diplomacy. He also stressed the importance of reopening border routes for humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
According to the UK government’s official biography, Lindsay was appointed Special Envoy to Afghanistan in June 2025. His responsibilities include engagement with the Taliban, regional countries and other Afghan stakeholders on security, human rights and humanitarian issues.
