ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has ruled out unconditional talks with Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities, insisting that any dialogue must be supported by verifiable action to stop terrorist attacks originating from Afghan soil.
Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said on Thursday that Islamabad remained open to discussions with Kabul and would welcome sincere efforts by friendly countries to address its security concerns and promote regional peace.
“Pakistan is not shying away from discussions or dialogue, including with representatives of Afghanistan. Pakistan would welcome any sincere efforts by friendly countries that could help address our legitimate security concerns and promoting regional peace and stability,” Khan said during the Foreign Office’s weekly media briefing.
However, he stressed that dialogue could not proceed without concrete steps to address Pakistan’s concerns over militant groups operating from Afghanistan.
“The talks will not be unconditional. Pakistan has been raising the issue of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan at different forums. Unfortunately, the Taliban regime has been taking one step forward and one step backwards,” he said.
“Pakistan has only one demand: there should be a verifiable mechanism to ensure complete cessation of terrorist activities emanating from Afghan soil against Pakistan,” he added.
Russia’s Mediation Offer
During the briefing, the spokesperson was asked whether Pakistan would welcome Russia’s offer to mediate, given the failure of previous efforts and reports that Islamabad was no longer interested in talks with the Taliban authorities.
Khan rejected the suggestion that Pakistan was unwilling to engage, saying dialogue remained possible if it produced meaningful results and addressed the country’s security concerns.
The spokesperson said Pakistan valued its engagement with Russia on Afghanistan and regional security, describing Moscow as an important regional stakeholder.
“At present, I am not aware of any separate, formal Russian mediation initiative being under discussion. However, Pakistan remains open to constructive engagement. Such efforts should be meaningful and yield tangible progress,” he said.
His remarks followed renewed suggestions by Russian officials that Moscow could help mediate between Pakistan and the Taliban authorities.
He added that any progress would ultimately depend on action by the Taliban authorities against militant groups operating from Afghanistan.
“Ultimately, progress would require concrete and verifiable action on the ground by the Taliban authorities against terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan. If that happens, Pakistan would be very willing to participate in discussions and negotiations,” Khan said.
According to some media reports, Russia, which formally recognised the Taliban government in 2025, has offered to facilitate a settlement if both sides request its involvement.
Russian officials renewed the offer following the latest Moscow Format consultations on October 5, which ended without a joint communiqué because of differences between the Pakistani and Afghan delegations over references to militant networks operating from Afghanistan.
Moscow Format Disagreement
Khan said Pakistan was represented at the meeting by Ambassador Sadiq Khan, its special representative for Afghanistan, and Ambassador Ubaid ur Rehman Nizamani, Pakistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan.
He said contacts between the two countries were continuing at the special representative level, but the absence of an agreed communiqué highlighted persistent differences over the issue of terrorism.
“The fact that no joint communiqué was issued after the Moscow Format is self-evident that Afghanistan did not accept the formulation, which had been acceptable until last year, particularly about the presence of terrorist network in Afghanistan. This shows that there is reluctance on the part of Afghanistan that terrorism is originating from its soil,” he said.
Pakistan has repeatedly demanded that the Taliban authorities take action against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other groups it accuses of using Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan.
