Erdogan Expresses Support for Taliban-Pakistan Talks in Istanbul
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has voiced support for ongoing talks between representatives of the Taliban administration and Pakistan, during a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Erdogan stated that Ankara will continue to play an active role in monitoring and mediating the negotiations.
Expressing concern over recent violence and insecurity in Pakistan — which has coincided with rising tensions between Islamabad and the Taliban — Erdogan emphasized that maintaining a ceasefire between the two sides is crucial for regional stability. He added that Turkey is working to facilitate continued dialogue between the parties.
According to a statement from the Turkish presidency, the remarks were made on the sidelines of Erdogan’s meeting with Prime Minister Sharif, and Turkey is closely following developments in Afghanistan and the broader region.
In recent weeks, two rounds of talks between Taliban officials and Pakistani authorities have been held in Istanbul. Although these meetings were seen as steps toward de-escalation, they have so far yielded no concrete agreements, and violence along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border remains ongoing.
Since returning to power in Afghanistan, the Taliban administration has faced widespread criticism over its failure to ensure security and engage constructively with neighboring countries. It is now under increasing regional pressure to ease tensions with Islamabad.
