‘Talks between Pakistan and the Taliban government, sponsored by Türkiye, lasted nine hours’
Saudi Arabia on Sunday welcomed the announcement of an immediate ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Source: x.com/arabnews
Pakistan presented Afghanistan with a detailed plan aimed at eliminating terrorism emanating from its territory, during the second round of bilateral talks in Istanbul.
The talks between Pakistan and the Taliban government, hosted by Türkiye, lasted nine hours, sources say.
The seven-member Pakistani delegation participated in the talks and reiterated Islamabad’s demand to dismantle terrorist and training camps inside Afghanistan. Express News reported.
During the meeting, Pakistan presented a draft comprehensive proposal, which Taliban authorities are now reviewing. Pakistan also reaffirmed its firm stance on extremist groups, including Fitna al-Khawarij and other militant organisations.
Sources familiar with the matter said the negotiations are aimed at establishing a consensus on mechanisms that would help address cross-border security challenges and prevent terrorist activities. Further deliberations are expected to take place over the next two days as both sides seek common ground on key security issues.
Asif warns of “open war” with Afghanistan if peace talks fail
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said Saturday that he believes Afghanistan wants peace. Still, failure to reach a deal during talks in Istanbul would mean “open war,” days after both sides agreed to a ceasefire following deadly border clashes.
Read: Pakistan presents firm stance on cross-border terrorism at Istanbul talks
He said there had been no incidents in the four or five days since it was agreed and that both sides were honoring the truce.
“We have the option of, if an agreement is not reached, to have an open war with them,” he said in televised remarks from Pakistan. “But I saw that they want peace.”
Doha talks
The Istanbul talks come after Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed on an immediate ceasefire during the Doha talks, following a week of intense border clashes, the worst since the Taliban took power in Kabul in 2021.
The ceasefire “has been finalized,” Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif posted on X last Sunday, saying both sides would meet again on October 25 in Istanbul to discuss “detailed matters.”
Read more: Pakistan and Afghanistan agree to immediate ceasefire at Doha talks
Pakistani delegation, headed by Khawaja Asif, including other senior officials. On the Afghan side, the talks were led by the acting Minister of Defense, Mullah Yaqoob, accompanied by other representatives.
Pakistani officials raised the issue of cross-border terrorist attacks originating from Afghanistan, singling out groups such as the Gul Bahadur faction and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in particular. Islamabad maintains that these groups have been involved in multiple deadly incidents inside Pakistan in recent months.
Sources familiar with the talks said Pakistan put forward a “single-point agenda” focused on dismantling terror networks. “Pakistan has made it clear that the Afghan government must eliminate terrorist organizations and their hideouts,” the sources said.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement that the parties agreed to a comprehensive and meaningful ceasefire.
Tensions rose after unprovoked shooting by the Afghan Taliban regime
Also read: Explained: Pakistan-Afghanistan border conflict
Tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border escalated on October 12, when clashes broke out after the Afghan Taliban regime opened unprovoked fire at multiple locations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, prompting a swift and forceful response from the Pakistan Army, which destroyed several Afghan posts and killed dozens of Afghan soldiers and militants.
The coordinated attack originated from several key sectors including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Baramcha in Balochistan. The firing, security sources said, was aimed at facilitating the illegal entry of Khwarij – the state-designated term for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) – into Pakistani territory.
“Pakistan army responded immediately and decisively,” security sources said. “The counteroffensive effectively attacked and destroyed multiple Afghan posts on the border. Dozens of Afghan and Khwarij soldiers were killed in retaliatory fire.”
