With efforts intensifying to counter cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan, Pakistan has presented its “evidence-based, justified, and logical” demands to mediators Turkiye and Qatar during the third round of talks with the Afghan Taliban regime in Istanbul, the Foreign Office confirmed on Friday.
Pakistan Presents Evidence-Based Demands in Istanbul Talks with Afghan Taliban as part of a broader push to end terrorist infiltration and ensure peace along the Pak-Afghan border. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said that Pakistan’s delegation shared detailed evidence with mediators, underscoring that Islamabad’s demands were firmly rooted in international law and guided by principles of regional security and stability.
“Our talks with the Afghan Taliban regime commenced in Istanbul with the participation of mediators,” Andrabi stated at the weekly press briefing in Islamabad. “The mediators have endorsed Pakistan’s stance, acknowledging that our position is supported by credible evidence and legal grounds.”
He added that Turkiye and Qatar were now holding detailed discussions with the Afghan Taliban delegation on each point raised by Pakistan. Andrabi also cautioned against misleading narratives on social media, saying that “speculations spread by Afghan-linked accounts are either false or deliberate disinformation.”
The ongoing Istanbul dialogue follows a series of tense exchanges between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Last month’s deadly border clashes had heightened tensions, prompting renewed mediation efforts. The current round of talks follows earlier sessions held in Istanbul, including the second round on October 25, which collapsed after the Taliban delegation refused to acknowledge Pakistan’s security concerns.
Mediators later convinced both sides to resume dialogue, leading to a temporary ceasefire agreement. The Turkish foreign ministry had confirmed that all parties agreed to establish a “monitoring and verification mechanism” to maintain peace and penalise any violations of the truce.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has strongly rejected recent Afghan claims regarding the latest exchange of fire at the Chaman border, asserting that the incident was provoked from the Afghan side. In a statement posted on X, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said Pakistani forces responded in a “measured and responsible manner,” bringing the situation under control.
The ministry reaffirmed that the ceasefire remains intact and that Pakistan remains committed to resolving all border matters through dialogue, urging the Afghan interim government to show “reciprocity and seriousness.”
“Pakistan has consistently worked to maintain peace along the Pak-Afghan border,” the statement added, calling on Kabul to avoid actions that could escalate tensions.
