Diplomacy Revived After Deadlock
Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to resume high-stakes peace talks in Istanbul following weeks of violent border clashes that left casualties on both sides. The negotiations, facilitated by Turkiye and Qatar, aim to ease mounting tensions and address Islamabad’s demand that Kabul take decisive action against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
According to Pakistani security officials, the dialogue had previously reached a standstill, but mediators persuaded both delegations to extend their stay in Istanbul for another round of discussions. “Pakistan remains committed to seeking a peaceful resolution in good faith,” said a security source, emphasizing that Afghan territory should never be used for terrorism against Pakistan.
Ceasefire and the Sticking Point
Earlier in October, Qatar and Turkiye successfully mediated a ceasefire signed in Doha after deadly skirmishes erupted along the border. However, progress stalled when Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government refused Islamabad’s key demand — cracking down on the TTP, a banned group responsible for numerous attacks inside Pakistan.
The TTP, formed in 2007, has waged a long insurgency against the Pakistani state. Islamabad accuses Kabul of sheltering not just the TTP but also the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). The Afghan Taliban, however, denies these claims, insisting that the TTP issue is an “internal matter of Pakistan.”
Tensions Escalate as Islamabad Warns of Action
Following the collapse of the previous talks, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif issued a stern warning to Kabul, accusing the Taliban regime of “pushing Afghanistan into yet another conflict.” His remarks hinted at possible military action, including cross-border air strikes, if Kabul fails to act against militant sanctuaries.
Despite the fiery rhetoric, analysts see the return to negotiations as a positive shift. Security researcher Abdul Sayed told Al Jazeera that Pakistan’s renewed willingness to talk “reflects flexibility under mediation pressure and a hope for a diplomatic breakthrough.”
India’s Shadow on the Border Crisis
The border dispute has also taken a geopolitical turn. Asif alleged that India is fueling instability in Pakistan through Afghan channels, though no evidence has been publicly shared. Analysts note that tensions between Islamabad and Kabul escalated shortly after Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to India, deepening Pakistan’s suspicions of regional interference.
For now, all eyes remain on Istanbul — where Pakistan’s call for decisive action against militancy could define the next chapter in Islamabad-Kabul relations.
