Renewed Efforts Amid Rising Border Tensions
After two inconclusive rounds, Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban resumed negotiations in Istanbul, Turkiye, amid growing border tensions and recent deadly clashes. The talks, facilitated by Turkiye and Qatar, are part of an ongoing diplomatic push to de-escalate hostilities that flared earlier this month along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Islamabad reiterated its firm and principled position, calling upon the Taliban regime to immediately halt its support for the khawarij — a term used to describe the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — responsible for a series of terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. Officials emphasized that Afghan soil must not be used for launching cross-border assaults or harboring militants targeting Pakistan.
Despite external pressures and complex regional dynamics, Pakistan and its allies continue to pursue constructive engagement, urging the Taliban to adopt a sincere and realistic approach. However, progress remains slow, and previous talks have failed to produce tangible results or a lasting ceasefire framework.
Border Clashes and Mounting Frustrations
The latest discussions followed severe border clashes earlier in the month, during which Pakistan’s Armed Forces repelled multiple Taliban-led attacks on its border posts. The confrontation resulted in the deaths of over 200 Taliban and allied militants, while 23 Pakistani soldiers embraced martyrdom. In retaliation, Pakistan conducted precision airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province and Kabul, destroying several terrorist strongholds.
Following the violence, Pakistan temporarily shut down border crossings with Afghanistan, emphasizing that the safety of its citizens outweighs commercial considerations. Islamabad has also expressed growing concern that the Taliban regime is acting as an Indian proxy, further destabilizing bilateral relations.
During the second round of talks, Pakistan presented evidence of terrorist networks operating from Afghan territory and urged the Taliban to dismantle them immediately. However, according to security sources, the Taliban delegation’s responses were “illogical and detached from ground realities,” casting serious doubt on their willingness to pursue regional peace.
Turkiye continues to play a mediating role, attempting to bridge the divide by helping the Taliban understand the depth of Pakistan’s concerns. Nonetheless, Islamabad maintains that meaningful progress depends entirely on the Taliban’s sincerity and readiness to cooperate in good faith. Pakistan’s stance remains unequivocal — tolerance or shelter for militants targeting Pakistan will not be accepted under any circumstances.
