Pakistan and Afghan Taliban to resume third round of talks in Istanbul today

Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime are meeting in Istanbul today for another round of talks aimed at reducing tensions after last month’s deadly border clashes.

The new meeting follows earlier five-day discussions that ended with a last-minute interim agreement. The second round of talks had started on October 25 in Istanbul, Turkiye, but broke down when Pakistan rejected the Taliban delegation’s “illogical” arguments and their refusal to address Islamabad’s concerns about cross-border terrorism.

Mediators later convinced both sides to try again, leading to an agreement to maintain the ceasefire. A joint statement from the Turkish foreign ministry said, “All parties have agreed to put in place a monitoring and verification mechanism that will ensure maintenance of peace and imposing a penalty on the violating party.”

A day before the latest meeting, the defence minister told journalists that a delegation had left for Istanbul to resume the talks. He added, “Afghanistan should act wisely for peace in the region… If there is no possibility of progress, then it is just a waste of time.”

Earlier this week, DG ISPR Lt General Ahmed Sharif warned that any external aggression against Pakistan would be met with a “firm and severe” response. He told journalists that Pakistan had killed several cross-border terrorists—many identified as Afghan nationals—and highlighted how opium cultivation was funding militancy.

He also accused some elements in Afghanistan of sheltering militants from Balochistan and using civilians as human shields. Journalist Hamid Mir reported that evidence was shown to journalists about Afghan Taliban soldiers’ involvement in terrorism in Pakistan.

Islamabad-Kabul Tensions

Pakistan has faced increasing terror attacks, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban took power in 2021. The government has repeatedly urged the Taliban to stop terrorist groups attacking Pakistan, but the regime has mostly ignored these demands.

On October 12, the Taliban regime carried out unprovoked firing along the border. Pakistan’s forces responded strongly, killing over 200 Taliban and allied fighters, though 23 Pakistani soldiers were martyred. The military also launched strikes inside Afghanistan, destroying terrorist hideouts, including some in Kabul.

Hostilities ended after Pakistan agreed to a temporary ceasefire on October 17 at the Taliban’s request. Later, delegations from both countries met in Doha for Qatar-mediated talks and agreed to continue the ceasefire.

Turkiye then hosted the next round of discussions in Istanbul from October 25 to 31, and now both sides are back at the table in an effort to restore lasting peace.

Read More: Seven NCCIA Officers Submit Resignations Following Anti-Corruption Case