- Defence minister says Istanbul dialogue shows ‘guarded optimism’ after weeks of stalemate
- Rejects Kabul’s claim that TTP fighters are ‘returning refugees,’ says Pakistan holds leverage on Kunar River dam dispute
- Talks mediated by Turkiye and Qatar focus on curbing cross-border terrorism
- Pakistan insists any agreement must be written, witnessed, and internationally endorsed
ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Thursday said that a “ray of light” had emerged from the Istanbul negotiations between Pakistan and Afghanistan amid weeks of escalating border tensions, urging “guarded optimism” for a breakthrough—even as he cautioned that nothing conclusive could yet be stated.
The minister’s remarks came during an interview on a private TV channel, hours after the second round of Pakistan-Afghanistan talks—mediated by Turkiye and Qatar—concluded in Istanbul. The discussions, which began on Saturday, revolved around Pakistan’s long-standing demand for decisive action against terror groups launching attacks from Afghan soil, an issue that has kept the process deadlocked.
“As of now, there are some faint signs of progress,” Asif said, noting that hope, which had “completely flatlined before,” was beginning to reappear. “Different drafts are being exchanged for an eventual agreement. You can say that some ray of light is visible; there is very guarded optimism. Let’s hope something concrete takes shape.”
He explained that the negotiations followed a step-by-step process. “When one side agrees to a draft, it’s sent to the other for review and amendments, after which it comes back for further discussions,” the minister elaborated.
Acknowledging the diplomatic role of the mediators, Asif praised both Qatar and Turkiye, calling them “respected and trusted friends” of Pakistan. “Turkiye openly supported us during our conflict with India, and we value their opinion,” he said, revealing that Turkish officials had persuaded the Pakistani delegation to stay in Istanbul when talks appeared to be collapsing. “They literally brought us back from the airport, saying, ‘Let’s try this again.’ A certain kind of diplomacy is still ongoing, and various scenarios are being worked out.”
When asked if the government expected a formal, written agreement to emerge, the defence minister was categorical: “We are not backing off from that. Whatever commitments are made must be written, witnessed, and endorsed by Qatar and Turkiye. There is no ambiguity about this.”
He noted that the Afghan Taliban regime had a degree of dependence on Qatar because of the Gulf country’s role in previous international negotiations involving Afghanistan. “They owe Qatar a certain degree of deference,” he said, suggesting that Doha’s mediation carried weight with Kabul.
However, Asif reiterated that Pakistan would not accept any understanding that lacked a written guarantee. “We have learned from experience. Any verbal assurance without written endorsement holds no value for us,” he asserted.
Responding to a question about his recent meeting with the US chargé d’affaires in Islamabad, Asif clarified that the United States had “no backdoor role” in the ongoing talks. “It was a routine meeting—long and pleasant—but politics were not discussed,” he said.
Touching upon another point of friction, the minister refused to comment in detail on Afghanistan’s reported plans to build a dam on the Kunar River but maintained that Pakistan had “leverage” on the matter. “They won’t be able to do even a fraction of what they’re planning. They cannot unilaterally deny Pakistan its rights to the river by damming or diverting it,” he remarked.
In a separate post on X (formerly Twitter), the defence minister dismissed as “absurd” the Afghan delegation’s claim that members of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were merely “Pakistani refugees returning to their homes.”
“What kind of refugees are these who are returning armed with destructive weapons, not travelling by road in buses or trucks, but sneaking into Pakistan through treacherous mountain routes?” Asif questioned. “This interpretation itself exposes the insincerity of Afghanistan’s intentions.”
Border Tensions and Diplomatic Strain
Ties between Islamabad and Kabul have deteriorated sharply in recent weeks following deadly border clashes, mutual accusations, and tit-for-tat strikes.
The latest round of hostilities began on October 11, when militants launched an attack on Pakistan from Afghan territory—an assault that followed allegations from Kabul of Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan. Islamabad has neither confirmed nor denied the allegation but maintains that its military actions target cross-border terrorist groups.
Pakistan has consistently urged the Taliban regime to prevent terror outfits from using Afghan soil to stage attacks. Kabul, however, denies harbouring militants and insists that its territory is not being used against Pakistan.
In response to a string of border attacks, Pakistan conducted targeted strikes on the camps of the Gul Bahadur group, believed to be operating inside Afghanistan. The escalation prompted international concern and led to mediation efforts by Qatar and Turkiye, resulting in initial talks in Doha, which produced a temporary ceasefire and an agreement to hold follow-up meetings in Istanbul.
Last week, the second round of these Istanbul talks began, but on Wednesday, Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar acknowledged in a post on X that the discussions “failed to yield any workable solution.” He added, however, that Pakistan remained determined to take “all possible measures to protect its citizens from terrorism.”
Despite the uncertainty, Khawaja Asif’s cautiously hopeful tone suggests that backchannel efforts continue to bridge the widening trust deficit—a small but crucial step toward preventing a deeper confrontation between the two uneasy neighbors.
