ISLAMABAD: The third round of negotiations between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban aimed at curbing cross-border terrorism will take place today in Istanbul.
According to Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both sides are expected to finalize mechanisms for implementing a ceasefire and establish a joint monitoring and verification system to ensure accountability in case of violations.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed that Pakistan’s delegation has already departed for the talks. He emphasized that Pakistan’s primary demand remains unchanged, that Afghan soil must not be used for terrorism against Pakistan. “We engage in dialogue only when there is a prospect of progress. Otherwise, it becomes an exercise in futility,” he said, expressing hope that the Afghan Taliban would act wisely for regional peace.
Sources suggest that the Istanbul meeting will focus on finalizing the ceasefire framework, which has been under discussion since the second round of talks.
According to a British news outlet, the Taliban delegation includes intelligence chief Abdul Haq Wasiq, Deputy Interior Minister Rahmatullah Najib, Doha-based Taliban envoy Suhail Shaheen, Anas Haqqani, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, and other senior officials.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalated after cross-border attacks from Afghan territory on October 11. The two sides later reached a ceasefire agreement in Doha on October 19, following which Türkiye and Qatar helped resume negotiations.
The previous round of talks, held in Istanbul on October 25, failed to produce a breakthrough on Pakistan’s key demand for ending cross-border terrorist attacks from Afghanistan. During those tense and prolonged negotiations, the Afghan delegation reportedly kept seeking instructions from Kabul and Kandahar, causing delays.
After initially leaving for home following the stalemate, the Pakistani delegation returned to the negotiation table at Istanbul Airport upon Türkiye’s request to give the peace effort one final chance.
