Second Round of Pakistan-Taliban Talks Begins in Istanbul
A new round of talks between a delegation from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and representatives of the Taliban administration began on Saturday, October 24, in Istanbul, Turkey. Pakistani officials have stated that one of their primary demands in these discussions is the establishment of a clear monitoring framework to curb security threats originating from Afghan territory.
Tahir Hussain Andrabi, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a press conference on Friday that his country seeks a verifiable mechanism to prevent terrorist attacks launched from inside Afghanistan against Pakistan. He stressed that this mechanism must be clearly defined and mutually agreed upon within the framework of future agreements between the two sides.
The second round of negotiations in Istanbul follows initial talks held on October 18 and 19 in Doha, the capital of Qatar, under the joint mediation of Qatar and Turkey. During those meetings, both sides agreed on a ceasefire and to continue negotiations, but no clear commitment was made by the Taliban administration to curb extremist groups.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson welcomed the outcomes of the Doha meeting, stating that Pakistan has entered the Istanbul talks with the same intention and a focus on achieving lasting peace. He called for sincere cooperation from the Taliban in ensuring regional security.
According to Pakistani media reports, Pakistan’s negotiating team comprises senior officials from the military intelligence agency (ISI), the Ministry of Defence, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Senior ISI officials responsible for Afghan affairs, the Director General of Military Operations, and a high-level diplomat are expected to participate in the talks.
On the Taliban side, spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that a delegation led by Haji Najib, Deputy Minister of Interior, traveled to Turkey on Friday. However, no details have been released regarding the Taliban administration’s precise positions or any practical measures taken to prevent terrorist group activities from Afghan soil.
These meetings come amid ongoing accusations that the Taliban administration has failed to exercise full control over Afghanistan’s borders and prevent the activities of extremist groups inside the country. Analysts warn that continued inaction on these issues could lead to widespread security and political consequences for the region.
