ISTANBUL, Turkiye: Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban regime reached an “interim agreement” on Thursday to solidify a ceasefire deal first brokered in Doha on October 19, following six days of talks in Istanbul mediated by Turkiye and Qatar, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a joint statement.
A joint statement issued by Turkiye’s Foreign Ministry said the meetings, held from October 25 to 30, were aimed at solidifying the truce reached between Islamabad and Kabul on October 18–19 in Doha.
The statement confirmed that all parties had agreed to continue the ceasefire and to establish a monitoring and verification mechanism empowered to impose penalties on any side violating the agreement.
Pakistani officials said the interim deal conditions the ceasefire on effective Taliban action to prevent Afghan soil being used for terrorism against Pakistan, and to take verifiable steps against terrorist groups “Fitna al-Khawarij” and “Fitna al-Hindustan” — references used by Islamabad to describe Indian-backed terrorist networks such as the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
The mediators, Turkiye and Qatar, said they “express their appreciation for the active contribution of both parties and stand ready to continue cooperation with both sides for lasting peace and stability.” A principal-level meeting is scheduled in Istanbul on 6 November to finalise the details and implementation modalities of the accord.
Pakistan links ceasefire to action against terrorists
According to Pakistani officials, Islamabad’s key objective in the Istanbul talks was to secure firm guarantees from the Afghan Taliban that Afghanistan’s soil would not be used for terrorist activities against Pakistan.
Pakistan demanded verifiable action against terrorist groups it accuses of receiving Indian support, particularly the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
Officials said the Pakistani delegation maintained a “firm and evidence-based position” during the talks.
“The Afghan side has consented to maintain the ceasefire, conditional on preventing terrorism against Pakistan from Afghan territory,” a Pakistani official, with information about the talks, said.
“This means the Taliban must take clear, verifiable and effective measures against groups such as Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan.”
Officials said that Pakistan viewed the interim ceasefire as “a positive milestone” for regional peace and stability, crediting the mediation efforts of Turkiye and Qatar for preventing the talks from collapsing when negotiations stalled earlier in the week.
Talks nearly collapsed before breakthrough
Negotiations between the Pakistani and Afghan Taliban delegations had appeared close to breakdown on 29 October, when the Pakistani side reportedly prepared to leave Istanbul after failing to reach agreement.
However, at the request of the mediators, Turkiye and Qatar, and following a renewed appeal from the Afghan delegation, Pakistan agreed to continue the dialogue.
Talks resumed on 30 October and concluded with the interim agreement that reaffirmed the ceasefire and established a roadmap for future engagement.
Both sides agreed that the next meeting on 6 November in Istanbul would finalise a detailed implementation mechanism.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister expresses ‘guarded optimism’
Earlier in the day, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that a “ray of light” had emerged in the Istanbul discussions amid weeks of escalating tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Speaking to Geo News, Asif said there was “room for guarded optimism” but cautioned that nothing conclusive had yet been achieved.
“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 that some shape emerges from this,” Asif said, adding that any commitments made would be “written and witnessed by Qatar and Turkiye.”
The Defence Minister credited the mediators for persuading the Pakistani delegation to remain in Istanbul when talks appeared to have stalled.
“They brought us back from the airport after our hope diminished during the negotiations,” he said.
The minister reiterated that Pakistan would not accept any agreement unless it was formalised in writing and endorsed by the mediators.
Tensions and border clashes
The Istanbul talks followed a series of deadly cross-border incidents that had sharply strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban regime in recent weeks.
Islamabad accused terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory of launching an attack on Pakistani forces on the night of 11 October.
Multiple clashes followed along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, and Islamabad said it had carried out precision strikes targeting terrorist camps inside Afghanistan, including those belonging to the Gul Bahadur terrorist group.
Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Taliban regime to prevent terrorist groups from operating on Afghan soil. The Taliban, however, deny allowing any such activity.
Commitment to peace, but no compromise on security
Pakistani officials described the interim progress in Istanbul as a “positive step” for the people of both countries and the wider region.
Pakistan’s political and military leadership “remains united, determined, and fully aligned” on national security objectives.
“The state of Pakistan, its leadership, and its people will continue their efforts for peace,” a official said. “But this also constitutes a clear declaration that no compromise will ever be made on national sovereignty, national interest, and the safety of the people.”
