Taliban Supports Talks with Pakistan in Istanbul Amid Border Tensions
As efforts continue to de-escalate tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, a Taliban delegation is holding talks with Pakistani officials in Istanbul. Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban administration, welcomed the negotiations in an interview with TOLOnews, describing the process as “a positive step.”
He stated that the Taliban prefers resolving issues through dialogue, but warned that the group would respond if, in his words, “any party invades Afghan territory.” This statement once again highlights the Taliban’s militarized approach, suggesting a continued reliance on force over diplomatic solutions.
The talks began this past Saturday in Istanbul, Turkey, and, according to media sources, are ongoing. On Sunday, some Pakistani media outlets reported that the Pakistani delegation left the meeting after warning Taliban representatives to stop supporting the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Despite reports of rising tensions during the negotiations, the Taliban spokesman emphasized that the dialogue is still underway. Given that Islamabad remains concerned over the Taliban administration’s alleged support for extremist groups in Pakistan, the talks are taking place amid ongoing disputes over border security and cross-border attacks.
The continuation of these discussions comes as the Taliban faces accusations of harboring regional militant groups. The administration’s lack of transparency regarding groups like the TTP could further complicate the negotiation process.
