Pakistan has intensified its diplomatic efforts to curb cross-border terrorism originating from neighbouring Afghanistan, presenting what it described as “evidence-based, justified and logical” demands to mediators — Turkiye and Qatar — during the third round of talks currently being held in Istanbul with the Afghan Taliban regime, a Foreign Office spokesperson said on Friday.
“Yesterday, our talks with the Afghan Taliban regime commenced in Istanbul with the presence and participation of mediators,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi told reporters at a weekly press briefing in Islamabad.
He said Pakistan’s delegation handed over evidence-based and logical demands to the mediators with the singular aim of ending cross-border terrorism. Andrabi added that the mediators fully endorsed Pakistan’s stance, grounded in the evidence provided as well as in international law and principles.
According to the spokesperson, the mediators are now discussing Pakistan’s demands point by point with the Afghan Taliban delegation. He dismissed online claims and rumours as “pure speculation or deliberate disinformation” spread by Afghan-linked social media accounts.
The Istanbul meeting marks the third round of talks aimed at easing tensions after last month’s deadly border clashes. The latest engagement follows two earlier rounds, the most recent of which ended with a temporary ceasefire agreement.
However, talks had previously collapsed after Pakistan rejected what it called the Taliban delegation’s “illogical” responses to its security concerns.
A joint statement from Turkiye after the earlier round said all parties had agreed to maintain the ceasefire and create a monitoring and verification mechanism to ensure compliance.
Meanwhile, Pakistan rejected recent Afghan claims regarding an exchange of fire at the Chaman border, asserting that Afghan forces initiated the incident. Islamabad reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue and urged Kabul to act with “reciprocity and seriousness” to sustain peace along the border.
