KABUL – Taliban and Pakistan have launched a second round of negotiations in Istanbul in a bid to ease tensions and prevent cross-border violence, sources said Saturday.
The new round of talks, mediated by Qatar and Turkiye, follows the October 19 dialogue in Doha, where both sides agreed to a ceasefire after deadly border clashes earlier this month left dozens dead. While the ceasefire has largely held, trade at key border crossings remains suspended.
The Taliban’s delegation is led by Deputy Interior Minister Rahmatullah Mujib, while Pakistan’s focus, according to Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi, is to develop a “verifiable mechanism” to address Islamabad’s concerns over militant activity allegedly emanating from Afghanistan.
“Pakistan does not seek escalation,” Andrabi said Friday, adding that Islamabad expects the Taliban authorities to act against groups such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch separatist outfits. He described the first round of talks as a “positive step” toward regional peace.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, meanwhile, issued a warning that failure of the talks could lead to an “all-out war” between the two neighbours. Speaking to reporters in Sialkot, he said most points agreed in Doha were being implemented and expressed hope for a breakthrough “by tomorrow, if not today.”
Asif accused India of backing anti-Pakistan activities through Afghanistan soil, a claim the Taliban have consistently rejected, but said he sensed “an urge for peace” in the earlier negotiations.
Border crossings between the two countries have remained closed since October 11 due to security concerns. The clashes were triggered by Islamabad’s demand that the Taliban rein in militants accused of staging attacks from across the border.
The ongoing Istanbul talks are expected to focus on sustaining the ceasefire, reopening border trade routes, and defining a bilateral framework for counterterrorism cooperation.
