The third round of talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban in Istanbul once again hit roadblocks, as the Taliban side hesitated to accept Pakistan’s logical and legitimate demands.
According to sources, despite challenges, the mediators recognised that Pakistan’s positions and proposals were both justified and logical.
The sources revealed that even within the Afghan Taliban delegation, there is a strong understanding that the demands put forward by Pakistan are fair and worthy of approval.
Pakistan presents its final position to Afghan Taliban diplomats
Earlier, the Pakistani negotiators and representatives of the Afghan Taliban had resumed second day talks on Sunday in Istanbul, entering another phase of dialogue to reduce tensions and reestablish peace across the border, the private media channel reported.
Pakistan presented its final position to the Afghan Taliban diplomats, making it clear that their patronage of terrorists was unacceptable to Islamabad.
Pakistan’s Security sources said the Taliban’s arguments are illogical and disconnected from ground realities. They added that the group appears to be following someone else’s agenda, which goes against the interests of stability in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the wider region. Further progress in the talks, they mentioned, will depend on the Taliban’s positive approach.
Talks between Pakistan, Afghanistan in Istanbul
The dialogue for a ceasefire arranged last week in Doha with the involvement of Qatar and Turkey, even the conditions of that interim agreement was unclear.
In Istanbul, both sides will work to finalise the “mechanisms” outlined in Doha to make sure permanent peace and avoid cross-border clashes.
The Taliban delegation presented a framework to Pakistan Saturday night, explaining for a bilateral truce and the formation of a four-party monitoring body to watch compliance and enhance intelligence sharing between the countries.
At the same time, Pakistan submitted its explained proposal on Sunday after examining the Taliban’s draft. Pakistan’s representatives stressed to Kabul to take decisive measures against Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and eliminate terrorist hideouts on Afghan soil.
Pakistan called on the Taliban authorities to “regain control” over TTP militants present on Afghan soil and dismantle their safe havens.
“Pakistan has demanded verifiable guarantees that Afghan territory will not be used for attacks against Pakistan,” a diplomatic source told a private news channel.
The Taliban’s proposal allegedly outlines commitments to mutual non-involvement and respect for sovereignty, while Pakistan’s response stressed the need for a reliable oversight and verification mechanism to observe ceasefire infractions.
Mediators from Turkey and Qatar are facilitating in the dialogue, which aim to produce a settled agreement on a trustworthy observing system and measures to end cross-border attacks.
“The goal of the negotiations is to ensure border security and regional stability,” a senior official familiar with the dialogue stated.
