Turkey Talks Yield Border-Calming Pact Between Pakistan and Afghanistan

Istanbul: The second high-level political talks held between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Turkey's capital, Istanbul, on Saturday lasted for about nine hours. Both sides agreed to reduce tensions on the borders and consolidate the recent ceasefire, although no formal agreement was reached. According to sources, the talks have temporarily eased the sourness of relations, but issues like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and cross-border terrorism remain major contentions. The talks were held after the ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkey last week in Doha.

Major disputes: TTP and confrontation over cross-border terrorism

The focus of the talks was the issue of cross-border terrorist activities and TTP. Pakistan demanded from Afghanistan that a verification mechanism should be established to monitor every movement across the border so that the entry of terrorists from Afghan soil can be prevented. Kabul vehemently denied joint border patrol, but agreed to find 'mutually agreed avenues' on intelligence sharing.

• Pakistani side demands: Groups like TTP should not get shelter in Afghanistan; Technical cooperation for border security.
• Afghan stance: Called Pakistan's allegations 'politically motivated'; No Pakistani terrorist was given official asylum.
• Refugees and trade: stranded trucks and fear of humanitarian crisis

The issue of the return of Afghan refugees and about 1,200 trucks stranded on the border also played an important role in the talks. Citing business losses, Pakistan presented a plan of limited border opening and phased withdrawal. But Afghanistan warned that 'forced withdrawal would deepen the humanitarian crisis and deal a severe blow to the Afghan economy.' Meanwhile, Turkey and Qatar agreed to set up a joint trade-security task group that will ensure gradual trade resumption and security guarantees.

Pakistan's threat of 'open war': Asif's statement

Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif warned of war in a televised statement on Saturday. "I think Afghanistan wants peace, but if there is no agreement in the talks, there will be a war. We have options—if there is no deal, we will fight an open war with them," he said, according to DW report. He also added that both sides were abiding by the ceasefire signed in Qatar, following which there were no clashes.

Taliban's strong reply: 'Talks on equal level'

Taliban sources refused to accept any 'order' from Pakistan and said that the talks were held 'on an equal level.' He rejected Pakistan's allegations and warned that if Pakistan took action across the border, it would be considered an 'attack on the Islamic Emirate.' The Taliban stressed that no Pakistani terrorist got official sanctuary in Afghanistan.

Journey from Doha to Istanbul

The talks are an extension of the agreement reached in Doha, Qatar, on October 19, where both countries declared a 48-hour ceasefire. Tensions peaked after border clashes in October 2025, in which Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Kabul, Khost and Jalalabad. Now talks under Turkish mediation will continue on Sunday (26 October).