Saudi Arabia played a central role in securing the release of three Pakistani nationals detained in Afghanistan, a Taliban official said on Wednesday.
According to Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, the three Pakistanis were freed “as a goodwill gesture reflecting Afghanistan’s policy of maintaining positive relations” with other countries, and in appreciation of Saudi Arabia’s mediation efforts.
The detainees were formally handed over to a visiting Saudi delegation in Kabul, marking a rare moment of cooperation between Kabul and Islamabad facilitated by Riyadh.
The Pakistani nationals had been held since October 12, 2025, following border clashes between Afghan and Pakistani forces that highlighted persistent security challenges along the two countries’ frontier.
Their detainment had been a sticking point, with Islamabad repeatedly seeking their release. Saudi involvement in brokering the transfer reflects the Kingdom’s broader diplomatic outreach as it positions itself as a constructive interlocutor in regional disputes.
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Saudi Arabia’s role in this mediation comes amid a flurry of other high-profile regional and international engagements. The Kingdom is balancing its diplomatic and economic initiatives, including efforts to enhance sustainable development, expand its economic footprint, and strengthen ties with Muslim and non-Muslim nations alike.
For example, Riyadh recently achieved top regional rankings in green building performance, with Saudi projects leading sustainability metrics across the Middle East in 2025.
The Saaf index, a specialized framework for assessing environmental performance in construction, credited the Kingdom with measurable gains in resource efficiency and carbon-reduction outcomes.
Separately, the Kingdom continues to advance its global economic role: international firms such as Moody’s Corp. have chosen Riyadh for regional headquarters, reflecting confidence in Saudi Arabia’s economic dynamism and its expanding capital markets.
The release of the detainees alleviates an immediate diplomatic strain, and signals Saudi Arabia’s deepening engagement in Afghanistan and the broader South Asia region. As Ramadan begins, the goodwill gesture is likely to be welcomed in Islamabad.
