Istanbul to host Pakistan, Afghanistan talks again

ISLAMABAD: The next round of talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban will be held in Istanbul tomorrow in the last-ditch effort to build trust between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Ending terrorism from Afghan soil is a clear agenda for Pakistan.

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif’s departure for Turkey is conditional on the presence of senior Afghan leadership.

This time, the National Security Advisor is also expected to participate in the talks.

According to sources, the leadership of the Pakistani delegation will be decided after seeing the Afghan delegation.

The Pakistani delegation will focus on stopping terrorism from Afghan soil into Pakistan.

There will be no relaxation in Pakistani demands; a blunt message has been sent to Kabul. Islamabad has emphasized practical steps against terrorist groups.

Earlier, Pakistan had officially rejected the false claims of the Afghan Taliban Spokesperson regarding the Istanbul talks.

According to a statement by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, “Pakistan rejects as inaccurate the statement made by the spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan regarding Pakistan’s alleged refusal of a proposal to receive individuals considered security threats”.

“During the Istanbul negotiations, the Pakistani delegation had welcomed the suggestion that any persons present in Afghanistan whom Pakistan regards as security threats could be handed over through designated border check posts,” the statement reads.

The authorities also added that any claim suggesting that Pakistan declined this proposal is factually incorrect and misleading.

“Pakistan conveyed that if such individuals were found to be Pakistani nationals, they would be taken back and dealt with in accordance with national laws,” the statement added.

The clarification came when the Afghan Taliban Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that “during the Istanbul negotiations, the Pakistani side was informed that the Islamic Emirate was willing to deport people Islamabad considers a security threat. However, Pakistan did not accept the offer.”