The second round of talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime concluded in Istanbul, Turkiye, with both sides agreeing to uphold the ceasefire after tense negotiations. The talks, which began on October 25, nearly collapsed when Pakistan rejected what officials described as the Taliban delegation’s “illogical” stance on cross-border terrorism.

According to diplomatic sources, mediators intervened, convincing both sides to continue discussions, which led to an agreement on a monitoring and verification mechanism to maintain peace. A joint statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry confirmed that all parties had agreed to “ensure maintenance of peace and impose penalties on the violating party.”

Speaking earlier outside Parliament, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed that a Pakistani delegation had departed for talks, urging Afghanistan to act “wisely for peace in the region.” He warned that dialogue without progress would be meaningless.

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Meanwhile, DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif warned that any external aggression would meet a “firm and severe” response, revealing that Pakistan had neutralized multiple cross-border terrorists, many identified as Afghan nationals. He accused elements in Afghanistan of sheltering militants from Balochistan and funding militancy through opium cultivation.

Tensions between Islamabad and Kabul have escalated amid a surge in terror attacks in KP and Balochistan since 2021. After border clashes on October 12, Pakistan launched retaliatory strikes that killed over 200 Taliban fighters, before agreeing to a temporary ceasefire on October 17.