Istanbul (TDI): Pakistan has agreed to resume talks with the Afghan Taliban regime in Istanbul, following the insistence of mediator Turkiye, after previous rounds of negotiations failed to produce a viable solution.
Pakistan’s delegation decided to extend its stay in Istanbul to continue discussions and give peace another chance, despite the earlier breakdown of talks, Geo News reported.
The negotiations are expected to focus on Pakistan’s core demand that Afghanistan take “clear, verifiable, and effective action” against terrorist groups operating from its soil, particularly those targeting Pakistan. Despite mediation efforts from friendly nations, including Qatar and Turkiye, earlier talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Istanbul had collapsed after the Taliban regime refused to provide guarantees that their territory would not be used by terrorist groups like the TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) to launch attacks on Pakistan.
Read More: Why Did Pakistan, Afghanistan Talks Fail and What Could Happen Next
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar confirmed that the four-day talks in Istanbul had ended without a breakthrough. He pointed out that despite presenting evidence-backed counterterrorism demands, Pakistan’s efforts failed to secure a workable solution. Tarar acknowledged the support of Qatar, Turkiye, and other friendly nations in facilitating the dialogue and their sincere efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution to the ongoing issue of terrorism.
On the heels of the breakdown in talks, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif issued a stern warning to the Taliban regime. He made it clear that Pakistan would carry out airstrikes deep inside Afghanistan if the Taliban allowed its territory to be used for launching terrorist attacks against Pakistan. In a post on X, Asif criticized the Taliban for making “venomous statements,” which he claimed revealed the “devious and splintered mindset” of the regime.
“We have borne your treachery and mockery for too long, but no more. Any terrorist attack or suicide bombing inside Pakistan shall give you the bitter taste of such misadventures,” Asif wrote, adding that Pakistan was fully capable of obliterating the Taliban regime if provoked.
Read More: Agreement Eludes Pakistan, Afghanistan After Three Days of Talks
He further warned that the Taliban should not underestimate Pakistan’s resolve and military capabilities, saying, “If they wish so, the repeat of the scenes of their rout at Tora Bora with their tails between the legs would surely be a spectacle to watch for the people of the region.”
Asif also accused the Taliban of pushing Afghanistan into another conflict merely to retain their grip on power and sustain their war economy.
