Pakistan to Resume Talks with Afghan Taliban in Istanbul After Mediator's Request

Strategic Insights -

Pakistan has agreed to resume negotiations with the Afghan Taliban regime in Istanbul at the request of mediator Turkiye, sources said on Thursday. The decision follows a breakdown in earlier talks, with Pakistan seeking verifiable guarantees that its territory would not be used by groups such as the TTP to launch attacks against Pakistan. Despite mediation efforts by friendly nations, talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Istanbul had collapsed after the Taliban regime refused to provide such guarantees.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pakistan has agreed to resume talks with the Afghan Taliban regime in Istanbul at the request of mediator Turkiye.
  • The negotiations will reportedly focus on Pakistan's core demand that Afghanistan take 'clear, verifiable and effective action' against terrorist groups operating from its soil.
  • The Taliban regime had refused to provide verifiable guarantees that its territory would not be used by groups such as the TTP to launch attacks against Pakistan.
  • Pakistan's delegation had been preparing to return home following the breakdown of earlier talks but will now extend its stay in Istanbul to continue discussions.
  • Pakistan has repeatedly conveyed its concerns to Taliban rulers over cross-border attacks and urged that Afghan territory not be used for terrorism against Pakistan.
  • Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that the Taliban regime must change its stance under the guidance of friendly nations if it wants to achieve peace and if it stops supporting terrorists, it would be a crucial step.
  • Asif emphasized that peace was the foundation for any results, and without it, no forward movement would be possible.
  • He warned that any attempts to destabilize Pakistan's peace would be met decisively, and Pakistan would conduct airstrikes deep inside Afghanistan if terrorists use its soil against Pakistan.

Statistics:

  • Pakistan has been grappling with rising terror incidents, particularly in KP and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban regime took power in 2021.
  • As many as 23 Pakistani soldiers were martyred during border clashes on October 12, while over 200 Taliban fighters and affiliated militants were killed.
  • Security forces conducted strikes inside Afghanistan, including in Kabul, destroying terrorists' hideouts in the country.
  • Hostilities between forces of the two nations ceased after Pakistan accepted the Taliban regime's request for a temporary ceasefire on October 17.
  • Delegations from the two countries met for talks mediated by Qatar in Doha, where they agreed on a ceasefire agreement.

Sources:

  • Defence Minister Khawaja Asif's posts on X
  • Geo News
  • Defence Minister Khawaja Asif's interview with Geo News
  • Defence Minister Khawaja Asif's interview with Al Arabiya English's webtv show "Counterpoints"
  • Pakistan's Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar's statement
  • Geo News report on October 25, 2022