Pakistan and Afghanistan will resume negotiations in Istanbul. The talks aim to resolve escalating tensions between the neighbours following a request from mediators Turkiye and Qatar.
A previous four-day round of discussions had ended in a deadlock. The Pakistani delegation was preparing to leave the Turkish city. However, they will now stay to continue the dialogue.
Recent weeks have seen military clashes along their shared border. Both sides suffered casualties during a weeklong conflict this month. Mediation by Qatar and Turkiye led to a ceasefire. Defence ministers from both nations signed the agreement on 19 October in Doha.
The core issue remains the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Islamabad insists that Kabul must crack down on the armed group. Pakistan accuses the TTP of using Afghan soil to launch deadly attacks. This has been a long-standing demand from Islamabad. The Taliban government in Kabul denies providing sanctuary to the TTP.
SMread: RSF captures El Fasher
Renewed diplomatic push
The initial talks in Istanbul, which began on Saturday, failed to produce a consensus. Following the collapse, Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, warned of potential conflict. He accused the Afghan Taliban of pushing the region towards instability, warning that Pakistan’s resolve should not be misjudged.
Security officials from Pakistan reiterated their primary demand. They stressed that Afghan territory should not be used for terrorism against Pakistan. Analysts suggest the resumption of dialogue indicates a possible shift. Either the deadlock’s cause was resolved, or Pakistan showed flexibility at the mediators’ request.
The Afghan Taliban administration has not yet officially responded to Minister Asif’s strong remarks. The situation remains tense, with a wider conflict still a possibility if these renewed talks falter.
Watch here for more information.
