Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime are set to hold the second round of bilateral talks in Istanbul today (Saturday) to finalise a post-ceasefire monitoring mechanism aimed at preventing cross-border terrorism.
According to the Foreign Office, no major terrorist attack has occurred from Afghan soil in recent days — a development described as a “positive outcome” of the Doha agreement reached earlier this week.
At his first weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi confirmed that the ceasefire “has largely held” and praised the progress made in the Doha talks. “No major terrorist attack from Afghan soil has taken place in Pakistan in the last two to three days,” he said, expressing hope that the positive momentum would continue in Istanbul and beyond.
Andrabi reiterated Pakistan’s consistent stance that Afghan territory must not be used for terrorist attacks against Pakistan. He said the Doha ceasefire was finalised after delegation-level talks led by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, which focused on eliminating cross-border terrorism and ensuring peace along the border.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson announced that Afghan transit trade will remain suspended until the security situation improves. “Lives of our citizens are more important than any trade,” Andrabi stressed, citing armed attacks at border points linked to the trade routes.
The Istanbul talks, hosted by Türkiye, aim to establish a framework to monitor ceasefire compliance and prevent violations. Andrabi said Pakistan will participate in the talks with sincerity, reaffirming that Islamabad’s main demand is that “Afghan soil must not be used against us.”
On the other hand, Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that the meeting would focus on maintaining the ceasefire and creating a reliable system to monitor its implementation.
Afghan officials have also highlighted supportive responses from China and the UK, both urging continued efforts toward a lasting peace between Islamabad and Kabul.
In response to reports of the Taliban’s plan to build a dam on the Kunar River, Andrabi stated that Pakistan is reviewing the matter under international water laws.
In other news read more about SP Among 3 Policemen Martyred in Deadly Hangu Blast
The ongoing engagement between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban reflects cautious optimism as both sides work to stabilize relations and ensure regional security through dialogue and cooperation.
