ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Afghanistan are holding high-level talks in Doha on Saturday to discuss ways to reduce escalating border tensions after days of fierce clashes that left casualties on both sides.
The discussions, hosted by Qatar, come amid growing international concern over the deteriorating security situation along the frontier.
In a statement posted on X, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said:
“A high-level delegation from Pakistan, led by our Minister of Defence, will hold discussions with representatives of the Afghan Taliban in Doha today. The talks will focus on immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism against Pakistan emanating from Afghanistan and restore peace and stability along the Pak-Afghan border.”
Pakistan Calls for “Verifiable Action” Against Militants
Islamabad said it did not seek escalation but expected Kabul to honour its commitments to curb militant sanctuaries.
“Pakistan does not seek escalation but urges the Afghan Taliban authorities to honour their commitments to the international community and address Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns by taking verifiable action against terrorist entities, including the FAK/TTP and FAH/BLA,” the ministry said.
The statement also acknowledged Qatar’s diplomatic role:
“Pakistan appreciates the mediation efforts of Qatar and hopes these discussions contribute to peace and stability in the region.”
A high-level delegation from Pakistan, led by our Minister of Defence, will hold discussions with representatives of the Afghan Taliban in Doha today. The talks will focus on immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism against Pakistan emanating from Afghanistan and restore…
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 18, 2025
Kabul and cross-border militancy
Meanwhile, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on X that Afghanistan’s delegation, led by Minister of Defense Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, had left for Doha but accused Pakistan of undermining the peace efforts through fresh strikes.
“Last night, Pakistani military forces once again conducted airstrikes on civilian areas in Paktika, resulting in the martyrdom and injury of a number of civilians,” Mujahid wrote. Though Zabih claim was not verified independently by any official on both sides of the border.
He added:
“The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns, in the harshest terms, the repeated crimes of the Pakistani forces and the violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty. Such acts are deemed provocative and are viewed as deliberate attempts to prolong the conflict.”
Mujahid concluded that while “Afghanistan remains committed to a peaceful resolution and regional stability,” he blamed “the ongoing incidents entirely on aggression by the Pakistani side.”
The Doha meeting — taking place under intense scrutiny — marks the latest attempt to prevent a deeper crisis between the two uneasy neighbours, whose relationship has been strained by cross-border militancy and accusations of harboring insurgent groups.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that since the Taliban seized control of Kabul in August 2021, as many as 3,844 Pakistani—including civilians, military personnel, and law enforcement officials—have been martyred, while 10,347 incidents of terrorism have taken place in Pakistan.
“Those who were once given refuge by Pakistan are now sitting in India’s lap and plotting against Pakistan,” he said and hastened to add that Pakistan can no longer afford to maintain relations with Kabul as in the past.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, the Defence Minister said that since the Kabul fall in August 2021, Pakistan has made every possible effort to maintain peace and stability in the region, but no positive response has come from the Afghan side.
Pakistan Army Chief Urges Taliban to Rein In Proxies
Addressing a passing-out parade at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) in Kakul, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, on Saturday urged the Taliban regime to “choose mutual security over perpetual violence” and take immediate action against groups launching cross-border attacks.
“The Taliban regime must rein in the proxies who have sanctuaries in Afghanistan and are using Afghan soil to perpetrate heinous attacks inside Pakistan,” he said. Munir warned that Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies and armed forces — supported by the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan — “will surely defeat this menace as well.” He added, “Like our victory in the conventional domain, every state proxy of our neighbour will be razed to dust, Inshallah.”
Pakistan’s Stand: Peace Through Responsibility
Islamabad maintains that its actions are purely defensive, targeting only outlawed groups responsible for recent terror attacks inside Pakistan. Officials say militant outfits such as the TTP and BLA have taken refuge in Afghanistan and continue to launch deadly assaults across the border. Pakistani authorities insist that peace can only prevail when Kabul takes verifiable measures to dismantle these sanctuaries and prevent Afghan soil from being used for terrorism.
Pakistan’s participation in the Doha talks underscores its commitment to dialogue, stability, and regional peace — but, as officials in Islamabad have repeatedly stressed, patience has limits when national security and civilian lives are at stake.
