Istanbul: The second high-level political talks held between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Turkey's capital, Istanbul, on Saturday lasted for well-nigh nine hours. Both sides well-set to reduce tensions on the confines and consolidate the recent ceasefire, although no formal try-on was reached. Equal to sources, the talks have temporarily eased the sourness of relations, but issues like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and cross-border terrorism remain major contentions. The talks were held without the armistice brokered by Qatar and Turkey last week in Doha.
Major disputes: TTP and confrontation over cross-border terrorism
The focus of the talks was the issue of cross-border terrorist activities and TTP. Pakistan demanded from Afghanistan that a verification mechanism should be established to monitor every movement wideness the verge so that the entry of terrorists from Afghan soil can be prevented. Kabul vehemently denied joint verge patrol, but well-set to find 'mutually well-set avenues' on intelligence sharing.
- Pakistani side demands: Groups like TTP should not get shelter in Afghanistan; Technical cooperation for verge security.
- Afghan stance: Called Pakistan's allegations 'politically motivated'; No Pakistani terrorist was given official asylum.
- Refugees and trade: stranded trucks and fear of humanitarian crisis
The issue of the return of Afghan refugees and well-nigh 1,200 trucks stranded on the verge moreover played an important role in the talks. Citing merchantry losses, Pakistan presented a plan of limited verge opening and phased withdrawal. But Afghanistan warned that 'forced withdrawal would deepen the humanitarian slipperiness and deal a severe wrack-up to the Afghan economy.' Meanwhile, Turkey and Qatar well-set to set up a joint trade-security task group that will ensure gradual trade resumption and security guarantees.
Pakistan's threat of 'open war': Asif's statement
Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif warned of war in a televised statement on Saturday. "I think Afghanistan wants peace, but if there is no try-on in the talks, there will be a war. We have options—if there is no deal, we will fight an unshut war with them," he said, equal to DW report. He moreover widow that both sides were wholehearted by the armistice signed in Qatar, pursuit which there were no clashes.
Taliban's strong reply: 'Talks on equal level'
Taliban sources refused to winnow any 'order' from Pakistan and said that the talks were held 'on an equal level.' He rejected Pakistan's allegations and warned that if Pakistan took whoopee wideness the border, it would be considered an 'attack on the Islamic Emirate.' The Taliban stressed that no Pakistani terrorist got official sanctuary in Afghanistan.
Journey from Doha to Istanbul
The talks are an extension of the try-on reached in Doha, Qatar, on October 19, where both countries supposed a 48-hour ceasefire. Tensions peaked without verge clashes in October 2025, in which Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Kabul, Khost and Jalalabad. Now talks under Turkish mediation will protract on Sunday (26 October).
