Istanbul: Efforts to sustain peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan have entered a new phase as both sides agreed to continue truce talks, following several days of negotiations held in Istanbul under the mediation of Türkiye and Qatar.
According to a statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, all concerned parties have agreed to extend the ceasefire, while discussions on its implementation mechanism will continue. The final decision is expected at a high-level meeting scheduled for November 6, 2025, in Istanbul.
The recent negotiations come after a series of border clashes earlier in October, which prompted both Islamabad and Kabul to reopen communication channels. Prior to this, a Doha meeting on October 19 resulted in an initial truce agreement, laying the foundation for the Istanbul dialogue.
Officials from both nations confirmed that the talks aimed to build lasting regional peace and address cross-border tensions that have strained ties in recent years. Afghan interim administration spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid also verified that both sides have agreed to keep the dialogue process active.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, speaking to Geo News, said that Islamabad chose to give peace another chance following requests from Türkiye and Qatar. He added that the Pakistani delegation, which was expected to return home earlier, extended its stay in Istanbul to participate in further discussions.
For decades, Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees and remained at the frontline during the Soviet-Afghan conflict. However, recurring attacks allegedly by Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have created renewed tensions between the two neighbors.
Pakistani officials maintain that Afghanistan must prevent the use of its soil for terror activities, a claim repeatedly denied by Kabul. Still, both governments appear committed to finding a sustainable diplomatic path forward.
Regional observers view the ongoing Istanbul negotiations as a ray of hope for long-term peace and stability in South Asia — a goal that both nations have long struggled to achieve.
