ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has firmly reiterated its stance during high-level discussions in Istanbul, asserting that it will not tolerate terrorism stemming from Afghan territory.
These negotiations, co-hosted by Turkiye and Qatar, represent the third round of principal-level talks between Islamabad and the Afghan Taliban leadership. The discussions aim to solidify a precarious ceasefire established after last month’s deadly cross-border clashes.
The Pakistani delegation underscored that allowing Afghan soil to be used for terrorist operations is unacceptable in any form.
Sources highlight that the primary agenda of the two-day talks is to devise a monitoring and verification mechanism to maintain peace and ensure penalties for any violations.
Pakistan is pushing for tangible, verifiable steps against the TTP, including dismantling militant havens and extraditing key leaders operating within Afghanistan. It has also proposed involving impartial third-party observers to oversee the enforcement of any agreed-upon framework, signaling persistent mistrust between the sides.
Afghan officials described the atmosphere of the opening session as positive, though underlying tensions remain unresolved. Pakistan insists on an end to cross-border attacks, while the Taliban deny sheltering militants and emphasize maintaining respect for their sovereignty.
This round of talks is viewed as a crucial test for both nations, potentially paving the way to move beyond recurring conflicts towards a stable cooperative relationship. Although planned for two days, the discussions may be extended if significant progress seems achievable.
