Istanbul: Pakistan-Afghanistan hold third round of talks, Islamabad urges Kabul to end terrorists' support

Istanbul (Web Desk): Pakistan, along with several friendly nations, is persisting in efforts to sustain meaningful dialogue despite external hurdles and disruptive influences.

Diplomatic sources confirmed that the mediating countries remain genuinely dedicated to steering the process toward constructive engagement and stability. After a ceasefire was secured through the mediation of Qatar and Turkiye, Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have completed two rounds of negotiations that ended without any tangible results.

A third phase of discussions is now underway in an attempt to revive the stalled peace efforts.

The talks come in the wake of Pakistan’s retaliatory actions earlier this month, launched after Taliban fighters and their allied militants carried out unprovoked firing across the border.

The Pakistan Armed Forces successfully repelled multiple attacks on border posts, killing more than 200 Indian-backed militants. However, 23 Pakistani soldiers also embraced martyrdom during the bolder the clashes

Pakistan later carried out precision airstrikes inside Afghanistan’s Kandahar province and Kabul, targeting and destroying several terrorist strongholds. Following these confrontations,

Islamabad sealed its border crossings with Afghanistan, stating that the protection of Pakistani lives outweighs the importance of trade or transit.

Pakistan has also raised alarm over what it views as the Taliban regime’s alignment with Indian interests, warning that such behavior undermines regional security.

During the second negotiation round, Pakistan demanded that the Taliban administration take decisive and verifiable steps to dismantle terror networks operating from Afghan soil.

Security insiders described the Taliban’s responses as “illogical and disconnected from the actual situation,” reinforcing concerns about their seriousness in pursuing genuine peace.

Officials added that the future of the dialogue depends solely on the Taliban’s willingness to act in good faith. Pakistan has conveyed its final position, firmly declaring that no tolerance or shelter for militants targeting its territory will be accepted.

According to the sources, the Taliban’s rigid stance and unwillingness to acknowledge the situation on the ground have become evident to the mediators as well.

Turkiye, playing an active mediating role, has reportedly been working to help the Taliban delegation grasp the evidence presented and the depth of Pakistan’s concerns.

Security officials emphasized that real progress in the ongoing negotiations will depend on whether the Taliban abandon their current inflexibility and engage with sincerity in the peace process.