Pakistan and Afghanistan have begun their third round of talks in Istanbul, Turkiye, following a month of heightened border clashes and skirmishes between the two sides. The Pakistan and Afghanistan talks in Istanbul come after an earlier ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkiye, which led to two unsuccessful rounds of dialogue.
According to diplomatic sources, both delegations resumed negotiations after weeks of escalating violence along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Pakistan had launched a strong retaliatory campaign earlier this month after Taliban forces and their affiliated militants initiated unprovoked firing on Pakistani border posts.
The Pakistan Armed Forces effectively repelled multiple coordinated attacks, killing over 200 Taliban and associated militants, while 23 Pakistani soldiers embraced martyrdom in the line of duty. Pakistan also carried out precision strikes targeting militant strongholds in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province and Kabul, destroying several hideouts.
In response to the aggression, Pakistan temporarily closed its border crossings with Afghanistan, emphasizing that national security and the protection of Pakistani lives take precedence over trade or cross-border movement.
During previous talks, Islamabad urged the Taliban regime to take definitive action against terrorist organizations using Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan. However, security sources have described the Taliban’s stance as “illogical and detached from ground realities,” suggesting a lack of sincerity in addressing Pakistan’s legitimate concerns.
Pakistan has now presented its final position to the Afghan delegation, reiterating that any form of tolerance or safe haven for anti-Pakistan militants will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Turkiye continues to mediate efforts between the two sides, seeking to bridge the widening gap and help the Taliban delegation recognize the gravity of Pakistan’s security concerns. Still, progress in the Pakistan and Afghanistan talks in Istanbul will depend entirely on the Taliban’s willingness to cooperate in good faith and move beyond their current intransigence.