Sign in Subscribe
Afghan foreign relations

Pakistan Optimistic About Istanbul Talks to Curb Cross-Border Terrorism

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Pakistan's Foreign Office expressed optimism that the upcoming Istanbul round of talks with Afghanistan will lead to the creation of a verifiable monitoring mechanism to curb cross-border terrorism originating from Afghan soil. The talks, hosted by Turkiye, aim to move beyond the temporary truce achieved in Doha earlier this month and develop a verification-based peace framework addressing issues such as terrorism, migration, and border security. Pakistan's delegation will push for tangible guarantees from Kabul to dismantle Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) sanctuaries and establish intelligence-sharing and real-time monitoring mechanisms. Turkiye's role in the talks is seen as building on its counterterrorism experience and close cooperation with Pakistan.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pakistan is hopeful that the Istanbul talks will lead to the creation of a verifiable monitoring mechanism to curb cross-border terrorism originating from Afghan soil.
  • The talks, hosted by Turkiye, will aim to develop a verification-based peace framework addressing issues such as terrorism, migration, and border security.
  • Pakistan's delegation will push for tangible guarantees from Kabul to dismantle Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) sanctuaries and establish intelligence-sharing and real-time monitoring mechanisms.
  • Islamabad supports a third-party oversight structure, co-chaired by Turkiye and Qatar, to ensure transparency and compliance.
  • Afghan transit trade remains suspended due to ongoing security evaluations, though it remains a topic of discussion between the two sides.
  • The Istanbul meeting follows the first round of Qatar- and Turkiye-mediated talks in Doha, which resulted in a permanent ceasefire and a commitment to reconvene to develop a structured framework for peace and security.
  • Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson, Tahir Hussain Andrabi, expressed optimism about the talks, stating that Pakistan looks forward to 'a concrete and verifiable mechanism' emerging from the meeting.
  • Afghanistan's delegation will be led by Mawlawi Rahmatullah Najeeb, deputy minister for the interior, and is expected to participate with a 'sincerity of purpose and intent' to ensure lasting regional peace.

Statistics:

  • 25 October 2023: Date of the Istanbul meeting.
  • 2 rounds of talks: Qatar- and Turkiye-mediated talks in Doha and Istanbul.
  • 1 temporary truce: Achieved in Doha earlier this month.
  • 3 key issues: Terrorism, migration, and border security to be addressed in the talks.
  • 1 third-party oversight structure: Co-chaired by Turkiye and Qatar to ensure transparency and compliance.
  • 1 suspended trade: Afghan transit trade due to ongoing security evaluations.

Sources:

  • Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi.
  • Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Afghan side.
  • Officials from Turkiye and Qatar.

Read more