Turkish and Qatari mediators are continuing discussions with the Afghan Taliban delegation on Pakistan’s set of demands — particularly to end cross-border terrorism — as efforts continue to secure an agreement before the scheduled conclusion of the ongoing talks, officials and diplomatic sources said on Thursday.
The two-day negotiations, which began yesterday and are being held at Istanbul’s Conrad Hotel under restricted media access, are the third round of Pakistan–Afghan Taliban engagement aimed at ending cross-border terrorism and finalising a framework for monitoring and verification of counterterrorism commitments. Intelligence chiefs of both countries are leading their respective sides.
Officials privy to the matter said the talks could be extended beyond today if required.
FO briefing
Foreign Office spokesperson in Islamabad Tahir Hussain Andrabi told reporters at the weekly media briefing today that the Pakistani delegation had presented its case to the mediators in a comprehensive and evidence-based manner.
“The Pakistan delegation has handed over its evidence-based, justified, and logical demands to the mediators with a singular aim to put an end to cross-border terrorism,” Andrabi said. “The mediators fully endorsed Pakistan’s stance on the basis of evidence provided by our side, as well as the tenets of international law and principles.”
“They are now discussing Pakistan’s demands with the Afghan delegation point by point,” he added.
‘Progress encouraging’
Separately, sources privy to the matter described the progress on the negotiations so far as “encouraging,” noting that “an understanding may be achieved on some outstanding points.”
However, they cautioned that agreement on verifiable enforcement against terrorist groups remained elusive.
According to officials familiar with the discussions, Pakistan has pressed the Afghan Taliban to disassociate from the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and take concrete action against anti-Pakistan elements operating from Afghan territory.
Islamabad has sought a clear decree from Kabul, explicitly committing to distancing itself from the TTP, the sources said.
Since the talks resumed on Thursday morning, the mediators have been primarily engaged with the Afghan side to reach an agreement. “Interlocutors are working with mediators to achieve a balanced understanding,” an Afghan source noted.
Potential areas of convergence reportedly may include counterterrorism cooperation and border security protocols, but persistent mistrust and Kabul’s ambiguous stance on the TTP continue to pose challenges to a lasting deal.
More to follow
