Pakistan presents anti-terror plan to Afghanistan in Istanbul talks

Pakistan has presented a detailed plan to Afghanistan aimed at eliminating terrorism emanating from its territory, during the second round of bilateral talks in Istanbul.

The discussions between Pakistan and the Taliban government, hosted by Turkey, lasted nine hours, sources say.

The seven-member Pakistani delegation took part in the talks and reiterated Islamabad’s demand for the dismantling of terrorist and training camps inside Afghanistan, Express News reported.

During the meeting, Pakistan tabled a comprehensive draft proposal, which the Taliban authorities are now reviewing. Pakistan also restated its firm position on extremist groups, including Fitna al-Khawarij and other militant organisations.

Sources familiar with the matter said the negotiations aim to establish a consensus on mechanisms that would help address cross-border security challenges and prevent terrorist activities. Further deliberations are expected to take place over the next two days as both sides seek common ground on key security issues.

Asif warns of 'open war' with Afghanistan if peace talks fail

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Saturday he believes Afghanistan wants peace. Still, that failure to reach an agreement during talks in Istanbul would mean "open war," days after both sides agreed to a ceasefire following deadly border clashes.

Read: Pakistan presents firm stance on cross-border terrorism in Istanbul talks

He said there had been no incidents in the four to five days since it was agreed, and both sides were complying with the truce.

"We have the option, if no agreement takes place, we have an open war with them," he said in televised remarks from Pakistan. "But I saw that they want peace."

Doha Talks

The Istanbul dialogues follow Pakistan and Afghanistan’s agreement on an immediate ceasefire during Doha talks, after a week of intense border clashes — the worst since the Taliban took power in Kabul in 2021.

The ceasefire "has been finalised", Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif posted on X on last Sunday, saying both sides would meet again on October 25 in Istanbul to discuss "detailed matters".

Read more: Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to immediate ceasefire in Doha talks

Pakistani delegation, led by Khawaja Asif, including other senior officials. On the Afghan side, the talks were headed by Acting Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob, accompanied by other representatives.

Pakistani officials raised the issue of cross-border terrorist attacks originating from Afghanistan, pointing in particular to groups such as the Gul Bahadur faction and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Islamabad maintains that these groups have been involved in multiple deadly incidents inside Pakistan in recent months.

Sources familiar with the talks said Pakistan presented a ‘single-point agenda’ focused on the dismantling of terrorist networks. “Pakistan has made it clear that the Afghan government must eliminate terrorist organisations and their hideouts,” sources said.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement that the parties agreed on a complete and meaningful ceasefire.

Tensions escalated after unprovoked firing by Afghan Taliban regime

Also read: Explained: Pakistan-Afghanistan border conflict

Tensions along the Pak-Afghan border escalated on October 12, when clashes erupted after the Afghan Taliban regime opened unprovoked fire at multiple locations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Balochistan, prompting a swift and forceful response from the Pakistan Army, which destroyed several Afghan posts and killed dozens of Afghan soldiers and militants.

The coordinated assault originated across several key sectors, including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Baramcha in Balochistan. The firing, security sources said, was aimed at facilitating the illegal entry of Khwarij — the state-designated term for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — into Pakistani territory.

“The Pakistan Army responded immediately and decisively,” security sources said. “The counteroffensive effectively targeted and destroyed multiple Afghan posts on the border. Dozens of Afghan soldiers and Khwarij were killed in retaliatory fire”.