ISLAMABAD: The next round of talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan is scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, in Istanbul. The goal of these discussions is to make a final effort to restore trust between the two neighbouring countries.
Details emerging on Wednesday indicate that Pakistan has reaffirmed its primary objective: to eliminate terrorism originating from Afghan territory.
Sources have revealed that Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s visit to Turkey will depend on the participation of senior Afghan leadership in the talks. The National Security Adviser is also expected to attend the upcoming session.
Officials have emphasised that Pakistan will not tolerate leniency towards the Kabul administration regarding terrorism-related issues.
In a recent development, the Pakistan Army adopted a tougher stance toward the Taliban regime ahead of the Istanbul talks. They stated that Pakistan’s sole and uncompromising demand is to end terrorism stemming from Afghan soil.
“The conditions that the Afghan Taliban continue to propose are meaningless; what truly matters is the cessation of terrorism,” said Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the military’s spokesperson, during a briefing at the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). “Pakistan has a one-point agenda: Afghan soil must not be used against us,” he added.
Gen Chaudhry’s remarks come as Islamabad prepares for the meeting on November 6 in Turkey, the next phase of dialogue following last month’s six-day discussions in Istanbul between Pakistan and the Taliban regime.
Those previous talks, mediated by Turkey and Qatar, resulted in both sides reaffirming the Doha ceasefire and agreeing to establish a monitoring and verification system for cross-border terrorism, although key implementation issues remain unresolved.
Ahead of the upcoming Istanbul talks, Taliban leader Mullah Haibatullah met with his negotiators, led by Mullah Najib, in Kandahar to deliberate on the next phase of dialogue with Pakistan, according to sources.
