Islamabad, Kabul resume negotiations in Türkiye to defuse border crisis

Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime are holding a new round of high-stakes talks in Istanbul, aimed at easing escalating border tensions and securing a lasting ceasefire following last month’s deadly cross-border clashes.

Diplomatic and military delegations from Pakistan have arrived in Istanbul for the negotiations, which are being mediated by Türkiye and Qatar. According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the two sides are expected to finalize a mechanism for verifying ceasefire violations and ensuring accountability for any breaches, Samaa TV reports.

The discussions follow a five-day round of talks in October, which ended with a last-minute interim agreement but failed to address Pakistan’s core demand—halting militant activity originating from Afghan soil.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan is taking part in the dialogue with cautious optimism. “If the talks with Afghanistan are not successful, the situation may deteriorate,” he warned while speaking to journalists outside Parliament. “If the violations of our territory continue, we will respond in kind.”

He reiterated that Pakistan’s stance remains firm: Afghanistan must prevent its territory from being used for attacks against Pakistan. “For peace in the region, the Afghan leadership should act wisely,” he stressed.

Islamabad’s primary demand focuses on the prevention of cross-border terrorism. Pakistani officials have emphasized that they expect verifiable steps from the Afghan interim government to prevent militants from using Afghan territory as a base for attacks. Security sources said Pakistan appreciates the constructive mediation of Türkiye and Qatar and remains committed to dialogue “in good faith for regional stability.”

The talks were prompted by violent border clashes in early October, which left several soldiers and civilians dead. Afghanistan accused Pakistan of conducting airstrikes on Kabul and eastern provinces, a claim Islamabad rejected, saying the strikes targeted terrorist hideouts operating from Afghan territory.

Qatar’s emergency diplomacy led to a temporary ceasefire on October 19, paving the way for the Istanbul negotiations. During the previous Istanbul session, Türkiye, Qatar, Pakistan, and the Afghan Taliban issued a joint statement agreeing to maintain the ceasefire and establish a monitoring and verification system to address violations.

Pakistan’s leadership has repeatedly voiced concern over Afghan inaction against militants. Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir reaffirmed that Pakistan seeks “peace with all its neighbors” but “will not tolerate terrorism from Afghan soil.”

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar echoed these sentiments in the Senate, remarking, “We went there for a cup of tea, but that tea was very expensive,” referring to past decisions that allowed Taliban members to return and militants to be released.

According to DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif, Pakistan has neutralized several cross-border militants—many Afghan nationals—and continues to face challenges from opium-funded terrorism. He warned that any external aggression “will be met with a firm and severe response.”

By Vafa Guliyeva