Malaysian PM engages Afghan, Pakistani leaders amid border crisis

2026-03-05 - 22:02

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stepped into diplomatic mediation Thursday, holding telephone conversations with his counterparts in Afghanistan and Pakistan as border tensions between the two neighboring countries continue to claim lives. The engagement comes amid reports of fresh clashes along the volatile frontier, where recent hostilities have resulted in at least 88 deaths, including both civilians and soldiers on both sides. Anwar urges restraint after call with Sharif In a statement on the social media platform X, Anwar detailed his conversation with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who provided "updates on the tensions" along the border. The Malaysian leader emphasized his call for de-escalation, stating "I emphasized that all sides must exercise restraint and avoid any actions that could further aggravate the situation. Malaysia urges all parties to address these tensions through dialogue and diplomatic channels." Anwar noted that he and Sharif exchanged views on "initiatives that must be taken to pave the way for peace between the two countries." Kabul confirms conversation with Afghan leader According to a statement from Kabul, Anwar also spoke with Afghan Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund regarding the deteriorating security situation. Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid reported that Prime Minister Akhund expressed "concern" about regional developments and conveyed to Anwar that Kabul "believes in resolving issues through understanding and negotiations." The Afghan leader also emphasized that his government "considers defending its land and people to be its legitimate right," signaling Kabul's determination to protect its territorial integrity while remaining open to diplomatic engagement. Malaysia offers practical mediation role While Kuala Lumpur issued no official statement regarding the conversation with Akhund, the Afghan spokesman revealed that Anwar expressed his own "concern" about the situation and voiced hope that tensions would be resolved through negotiations and mutual understanding. Most significantly, Mujahid indicated that Anwar affirmed Malaysia "is trying to play a practical role in this matter through engagement and understanding with both sides," positioning the Southeast Asian nation as a potential mediator in the conflict. Sharif, following his call with Anwar, said he briefed the Malaysian leader "on recent developments regarding Afghanistan and Pakistan's efforts to combat terrorism," suggesting counterterrorism cooperation remains a key dimension of the bilateral tensions.