Pakistani and Afghan delegations meet in Istanbul for second round of talks - Salaam
Assalamu alaikum - Pakistani and Afghan officials are in Türkiye for a second round of talks on Saturday, according to officials, after recent clashes along the border killed dozens on both sides.
The two neighbors are caught in a tense security dispute that has turned violent, with each side saying they were responding to attacks by the other.
Pakistan says militant groups, especially Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), are crossing from Afghanistan to carry out strikes, an accusation rejected by Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers.
Last weekend, mediators from Qatar and Türkiye helped arrange a ceasefire that has mostly held, though the border stays closed except for Afghan refugees leaving Pakistan.
At a regular briefing, Pakistani foreign office spokesman Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan hopes a concrete, verifiable monitoring mechanism will be set up at the next meeting in Istanbul on 25 October 2025 to address terrorism coming from Afghan soil toward Pakistan.
“As a responsible state committed to regional peace and stability, Pakistan does not seek escalation but urges the Afghan Taliban authorities to honor their commitment to the international community and address Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns by taking verifiable action against terrorist entities,” he said.
Andrabi added there was a clear message to Kabul to stop the attacks, control and apprehend armed groups, and that relations could be restored if steps are taken. He did not name who was in the Pakistani delegation.
Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Deputy Interior Minister Hajji Najib is leading the Afghan delegation in Istanbul. “The remaining issues will be discussed at this meeting,” he said, without more detail.
Pakistan has faced a rise in militancy in its western provinces since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Islamabad has also accused India of supporting groups like the TTP and Baloch separatists for attacks inside Pakistan, an allegation India denies.
On Friday Andrabi said there has been no major full-scale attack from Afghan soil in the last two to three days. “So, the Doha talks and outcome were fruitful. We would like the trend to continue in Istanbul and after,” he said.
May Allah grant the leaders wisdom and guide them toward a just and lasting peace for the people on both sides of the border. Salam.
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