- Islamabad cautiously optimistic as fresh round of Pak-Afghan talks begins Nov 6 in Istanbul
- FO spokesperson says Afghan authorities offered ‘various justifications’ for not acting against terrorists
- Stresses Islamabad’s commitment to diplomacy, says optimism is ‘a professional necessity’
- Ceasefire along border to continue after mediation by Turkiye and Qatar averted collapse of talks
- Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warns that ceasefire cannot hold unless terror attacks stop.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday stated that the Afghan Taliban government in “Kabul had acknowledged” the presence of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other terrorist groups on its soil—a rare admission that Islamabad said reinforced its long-standing security concerns. The Foreign Office expressed guarded optimism ahead of the next round of Pakistan-Afghanistan talks, scheduled for November 6, hoping that the dialogue—mediated by Turkiye and Qatar—would yield “fruitful and verifiable results” on counterterrorism commitments.
Addressing the weekly press briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said the acknowledgment by Kabul marked a critical development in the ongoing discussions. “The Afghan Taliban government has acknowledged the presence of TTP and other terrorist organizations,” he said. “Afghan authorities have given various justifications for not taking action against these organisations, but their presence reinforces Pakistan’s security concerns.”
The FO spokesperson underscored that Pakistan’s engagement with Kabul over the past four years had been consistent and professional, even amid deteriorating security conditions and escalating tensions along the border. “We are not extremely optimistic, but maintaining optimism in diplomacy is a professional requirement,” he added. “Optimism is an integral part of our diplomatic process.”
Talks to Resume Under Ceasefire Understanding
The announcement came as Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to continue a ceasefire following a brief but intense armed clash earlier this month that left ties between the two neighbours severely strained. The agreement was reached after a five-day round of talks in Istanbul, the second such round after the Doha negotiations held on October 18–19.
The Istanbul dialogue, which began on October 25, was marked by tense exchanges and appeared close to collapse midweek, when Islamabad insisted that its “long-standing concerns over terror attacks emanating from Afghan soil” were being ignored. However, diplomatic sources confirmed that mediation by Turkiye and Qatar helped salvage the process at the last minute, paving the way for a temporary truce and a follow-up meeting on November 6.
“The talks were initially scheduled for two days, but Pakistan continued in earnest for four days to reach an amicable agreement,” Andrabi said. “Pakistan positively engaged with the Taliban regime without compromising on its clearly stated position that Afghanistan’s soil should not be used for terrorism against Pakistan.”
Pakistan’s Position: No Compromise on Security
Andrabi made it clear that Islamabad did not seek further escalation but expected Kabul to meet its obligations. “Pakistan expects the Afghan Taliban regime to honour its commitment to the international community and address Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns by taking concrete and verifiable actions against terrorist entities, including Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan,” he said, using official state terminology for the TTP and Balochistan-based militant groups respectively.
He reminded that Pakistan had for years shared “credible information” about the presence of the top leadership of these banned groups in Afghanistan. “Despite repeated assurances in the past, there has been a surge in terrorist attacks in Pakistan from Afghan territory,” Andrabi said. “Consistent disregard for our legitimate concerns and unprovoked aggression across the border this month led to violent exchanges.”
The spokesperson recalled the incidents of October 11–12 and October 14–15, when Pakistan said it was compelled to “decisively respond” to Afghan provocation aimed at destabilising the border and facilitating terrorist activity. “Pakistan will respond resolutely if provocations continue in the future,” he warned.
Engagement Despite Strains
Andrabi reaffirmed that Pakistan’s strategic vision remained anchored in a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. “Pakistan has always desired a peaceful, regionally integrated, and prosperous Afghanistan which is at peace with itself and its neighbors,” he said. “With the Taliban takeover in August 2021, we expected that this vision of regional peace and connectivity would finally materialize.”
He outlined several initiatives Islamabad had undertaken over the past year to build trust despite persistent challenges—including trade concessions, elevation of diplomatic representation from chargé d’affaires to ambassador level, and an agreement to expand the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan. He also highlighted the signing of a joint feasibility study for the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan Railway Project during Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s visit to Kabul on July 17.
“These steps demonstrate Pakistan’s sincerity in supporting Afghanistan’s reconstruction and connectivity goals,” Andrabi said. “However, we expect reciprocal actions from Kabul that align with commitments made to the international community.”
Mediation Role of Turkiye and Qatar
The FO spokesperson lauded the mediation efforts of Turkiye and Qatar, saying both “brotherly nations” had played a constructive role in defusing tensions and keeping dialogue alive. “They have been making their best efforts for an amicable and peaceful resolution of the issue,” he noted. Diplomats from both countries are expected to facilitate the next round of talks on November 6, which will focus on establishing a joint monitoring and verification mechanism to oversee the ceasefire and address violations.
When asked about the Torkham border crossing, which remains closed since early October due to heightened tensions, Andrabi said he had “no information on reopening” and referred the matter to the interior ministry. “Contact is being maintained with Pakistani residents, traders, and businesspeople in Afghanistan,” he said, adding that traders could return via direct flights while authorities were assessing how many wished to do so. “The border will remain closed until further notice,” he added.
Defence Minister: ‘Ceasefire Meaningless Without Ending Terrorism’
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, speaking separately on a TV programme, confirmed that an interim ceasefire agreement had been reached through Turkiye and Qatar’s mediation. However, he cautioned that “there have been some ceasefire violations from Afghanistan” and warned that the truce would hold only if Kabul took visible action against terror outfits operating from its soil.
“Another round of negotiations will be held on November 6,” Asif said. “Our primary demand remains the cessation of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil. There is a ray of hope, but not because of Afghanistan — only because of Qatar and Turkiye’s influence.”
Backdrop of Escalating Tensions
Pakistan and Afghanistan have seen their relations deteriorate sharply over the past month. The trouble began with a cross-border attack on the night of October 11, which Islamabad said was carried out by militants operating from Afghan territory. The Taliban had accused Pakistan of launching airstrikes inside Afghanistan, a charge Islamabad neither confirmed nor denied.
Subsequent days saw a series of skirmishes along the border, with Pakistani forces targeting hideouts of the Gul Bahadur group, which Islamabad links to cross-border militancy. The clashes reignited fears of a broader confrontation between the two countries, prompting diplomatic intervention by Ankara and Doha.
The first round of Pakistan-Afghanistan peace talks in Doha produced a temporary ceasefire and an agreement to meet again in Istanbul to discuss mechanisms for lasting peace. However, tensions resurfaced when Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced earlier this week that the Istanbul round had “failed to bring about any workable solution.” Following renewed mediation efforts, both sides agreed to continue the ceasefire, form a joint monitoring mechanism, and penalise any violators along the shared border.
Persistent Terror Threats
Pakistan continues to grapple with an upsurge in terrorist attacks in recent months, many of which have targeted security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Officials have repeatedly stated that these attacks are planned and executed by groups operating out of Afghanistan. Islamabad has urged Kabul to dismantle such networks and prevent them from using Afghan soil against Pakistan — a demand that forms the central plank of the upcoming November 6 talks.
In his concluding remarks, Andrabi said: “Pakistan’s government and armed forces stand ready to take all necessary measures to protect our sovereignty and ensure the security of our citizens. We remain committed to pursuing peace, but our goodwill should not be mistaken for weakness.”
caw33a