ISLAMABAD: For six tense days in Istanbul, delegations from Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban remained locked in high-stakes negotiations, part of a continuing effort to prevent cross-border militant attacks and restore fragile calm along the shared frontier.
The process, described by officials as shuttle diplomacy, has so far been defined by written exchanges, moments of breakdown, and last-minute revival through mediation by Turkiye and Qatar.
Representatives from both countries will meet again in Istanbul on November 6 after reaching an interim agreement late Thursday to consolidate the ceasefire. The two sides also agreed to establish a joint monitoring and verification mechanism empowered to ensure compliance and impose penalties for any violations, as mediators Turkiye and Qatar hailed the development as a cautious but significant step toward lasting stability between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Talks conducted through written drafts
Unlike traditional peace talks, the Pakistani and Afghan delegations have not met face-to-face. Instead, all communication has taken place through written drafts, exchanged and reviewed under the supervision of Ankara and Doha. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed, saying both sides are exchanging written proposals through mediators Turkey and Qatar.
“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 in an interview with Geo News.
Asif, who headed Pakistan’s delegation during the first round of talks in Doha, explained that when one side completes a draft, it sends it to the other for review and amendment. Once revised, it returns for further evaluation — a painstaking process designed to maintain structure and accountability.
“Pakistan will not rely on any verbal commitment. Everything will be documented and witnessed by Qatar and Turkiye,” he said, emphasizing that his government is committed to a written accord.
Negotiations stall, then restart with mediation
On October 29, the negotiations appeared on the brink of collapse. Frustrated by the lack of progress, the Pakistani delegation prepared to leave Istanbul. But just as the talks seemed doomed, mediators from Turkey and Qatar intervened, urging both sides to give peace another chance.
“They brought us back from the airport after our hope diminished,” Asif recalled. “They said, ‘Let’s try this again.’ So a certain kind of diplomacy is still being conducted between the two sides.”
The following day, on October 30, discussions resumed — and an interim understanding was reached, described by both sides as a cautious step forward.
An interim agreement and the road ahead
According to officials familiar with the process, the interim agreement reaffirmed both sides’ commitment to maintain the ceasefire first agreed in Doha. However, it also included a critical condition: the Afghan Taliban must take verifiable action against militant groups using Afghan territory for attacks against Pakistan — notably the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), both of which Islamabad describes as Indian-backed terrorist organizations.
The sides agreed to reconvene in Istanbul on November 6 to finalize details and establish an implementation mechanism for the accord.
“All parties reaffirmed their commitment to maintain the ceasefire,” a Pakistani official said. “But this consent is conditional on the non-occurrence of terrorism against Pakistan from Afghan territory.”
The agreement also includes the creation of a joint monitoring and verification mechanism, designed to ensure compliance and penalize any party violating the terms.
Turkey and Qatar’s critical role
Throughout the delicate process, Turkey and Qatar have served as key mediators, hosting the delegations and facilitating communication at moments of deadlock.
“Qatar and Turkiye are very respected by us and are our well-wishers,” Asif said. “Turkiye clearly openly supported us in the Pakistan–India conflict, so we respect them and their opinion.”
Both mediators, he added, have pledged to continue assisting the dialogue until a lasting peace mechanism is established. Their intervention on October 29 was pivotal — preventing the talks from collapsing and securing an interim breakthrough.
Pakistan’s focus and resolve
For Islamabad, the sole objective of the negotiations has been to secure guarantees that Afghan soil will not be used for terrorism against Pakistan.
During the Istanbul talks, the Pakistani delegation remained firm, presenting detailed evidence and maintaining a consistent stance. “The perseverance, insight, and logical basis on which the Pakistani delegation presented its demands was a prime example of professional excellence,” a senior official said.
Asif echoed this position, reiterating that no compromise would be made on national security or sovereignty. “Whatever these commitments will be, will be written and witnessed, and endorsed by Qatar and Turkiye; there is no doubt about this,” he said.
A fragile step toward peace
While the November 6 Istanbul meeting will determine whether the process moves toward a final written accord, both sides view the interim outcome as a positive milestone after months of border clashes and mutual distrust.
“The process is slow but steady,” Asif said. “We can say a ray of light is visible — but we remain very guarded in our expectations.”
Officials in Islamabad describe the progress as fragile but significant, crediting the mediation by Turkey and Qatar and Pakistan’s unified civil–military leadership for keeping the dialogue alive.
“The state of Pakistan, leadership, and people will continue their efforts for peace,” a Pakistani 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.
United States not part of mediation
Responding to a question, the minister said the United States has no mediating role in the current talks. While he did meet the U.S. chargé d’affaires recently, Asif clarified that the meeting focused on bilateral cooperation, not the Afghanistan dialogue.
The defense minister said the process is independent of Washington and built around regional cooperation. “These negotiations are between two neighbors, facilitated by trusted friends,” he added.
