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Islamabad presses Kabul to act against Pakistan Taliban as Istanbul mediation continues
KABUL – Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to resume negotiations in Istanbul after earlier talks collapsed, as mediators Turkiye and Qatar work to defuse rising tensions that have sparked deadly border clashes in recent weeks.
Pakistani officials confirmed that Islamabad’s delegation, initially set to depart after a deadlocked four-day round, will now remain in Turkiye to continue discussions on Thursday. “Pakistan has once again stressed that Afghan soil should not be used for terrorism against Pakistan,” a security official said, expressing hope for a peaceful outcome.
The decision follows a week of cross-border fighting that left casualties on both sides and led to a temporary ceasefire signed on October 19 in Doha. Islamabad has demanded that Kabul take decisive action against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Pakistan blames for a series of deadly attacks launched from Afghan territory. The Taliban government denies harbouring the group, calling the TTP issue an internal Pakistani affair.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif earlier warned of an “all-out attack” if the Taliban fails to act, accusing Kabul of “pushing Afghanistan into another conflict.” His remarks drew sharp attention to the risk of renewed hostilities just as mediators succeeded in bringing both sides back to the table.
Analysts say the resumption of dialogue may indicate flexibility on Pakistan’s part or fresh guarantees from mediators to avert further escalation. Still, the talks come against a backdrop of deep mistrust and allegations of foreign interference, with Islamabad also accusing India of exploiting the Afghan situation — a claim New Delhi has repeatedly rejected.
The latest negotiations in Istanbul mark a critical test for regional diplomacy as both countries face mounting domestic and security pressures while their fragile ceasefire remains in place.
