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KABUL – Afghan and Pakistani negotiators are meeting in Istanbul on Saturday in a bid to solidify a lasting ceasefire and establish security mechanisms along their tense border, following two weeks of deadly clashes that killed dozens, including civilians. The hostilities erupted after explosions in central Kabul, which the Taliban blamed on Pakistan, triggering retaliatory offensives and cross-border strikes. Despite a fragile truce brokered last week in Doha by Qatar and Turkey, tensions remain high.
The Afghan delegation, led by Deputy Interior Minister Haji Najib, departed for Turkey on Friday, while Islamabad has yet to reveal its representatives. Afghan officials say the talks aim to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity, while Pakistan insists the dialogue must tackle “terrorist threats emanating from Afghan soil.” Analysts say the Istanbul meeting could lay out mechanisms for intelligence sharing and coordinated counterterrorism operations, but question whether it will resolve the deeper causes of conflict.
The meeting, seen as critical for regional stability, comes as Turkey and Qatar continue to mediate between the two uneasy neighbours, once allies but now at odds over border violence and the presence of armed groups on Afghan territory.
