Pakistan agrees to resume talks with Afghan Taliban at hosts’ request | The Express Tribune

Pakistan has agreed to resume negotiations with the Afghan Taliban at the request of the host countries, a move that will keep the Pakistani delegation in Istanbul longer than planned.

The decision was taken to give the negotiating process another chance, but that Pakistan’s core demand — that Afghan territory must not be used to carry out terrorism against Pakistan — will remain central to any renewed discussions.

Radio Pakistan also posted on X about the renegotiations

The talks will focus on Pakistan’s central demand that Afghanistan take clear, verifiable and effective action against terrorists. Pakistan had repeatedly pressed the Taliban to prevent cross‑border attacks and to honour written commitments made under the Doha agreement.

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Information Minister Attaullah Tarrar, who had earlier described the Istanbul talks as unsuccessful, said the Afghan delegation had avoided providing workable assurances despite being presented with “logical and legitimate demands”.

He said Pakistan had presented solid and “indisputable” evidence of cross‑border terrorist activity, which was acknowledged by hosts and the Afghan side, but practical guarantees were not offered.

“Despite acceptance of the evidence by host countries and the Afghan delegation, no practical assurances were provided,” Mr Tarrar told reporters, explaining the reasons behind the failure of the earlier round of talks.

He accused the Afghan representatives of deviating from the core agenda and relying on “delay tactics, blame‑shifting and excuses”.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that Pakistan would not tolerate violations of its territorial integrity.

“If the Taliban government violates our borders, we will respond,” he said, adding that if necessary, Pakistan would carry out strikes inside Afghanistan in response to attacks launched from Afghan soil.

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Speaking to the media at Parliament House, Mr Asif said mediators at the talks had reached the same conclusion about Kabul’s intent. “The Islamabad‑Istanbul talks concluded yesterday evening; the mediators also realised what Kabul’s intentions were — the rift in Kabul’s intentions became apparent to everyone. Now there is no cure, only prayer remains,” he said.

Pakistan had repeatedly protested attacks attributed to groups it described as India‑backed — Fitna‑ul‑Khawarij and Fitna‑ul‑Hindustan — and had insisted on implementation of Doha agreement commitments. Pakistan has demanded clear, verifiable action by the Afghan side to stop cross‑border terrorism.

The decision to continue talks comes after an earlier round in Istanbul failed to produce concrete assurances. Pakistani sources said the delegation — which had been preparing to return home — would now remain to pursue further engagement at the hosts’ request.