Pakistan hopes for positive outcome of third round of talks with Afghanistan: Foreign Ministry

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): Pakistan hopeful of positive outcomes of the third round of talks between Islamabad and the Islamic Emirate delegation, which is scheduled to be held in Istanbul next week, Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi said on Friday.

 

He said Pakistan had participated in the talks without changing its position that neighboring territory should not be used for terrorist acts against the country. He stressed that Islamabad is not seeking to escalate tensions, but expects Afghanistan to fulfill its international obligations and take "concrete and verifiable action against terrorist groups."

 

Andrabi described the Pakistani Taliban as a "Khawarij sedition" and groups active in Balochistan as an "Indian sedition" and claimed that Pakistan had repeatedly provided the Islamic Emirate with reliable information about the presence of these groups in neighboring territory over the past four years. He said the recent border clashes were the result of "the Islamic Emirate's continued neglect of Pakistan's security concerns" and warned that Islamabad would "respond decisively" if the provocations were repeated.

 

Meanwhile, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif confirmed in an interview with Geo News that talks between the two countries are continuing, mediated by Turkey and Qatar. He said the next round of talks would be held on November 6 and the ceasefire would be effective when "terrorism stops."

 

Relations between the two neighbors have been strained in recent weeks by several border clashes and mutual accusations. Earlier this month, Pakistan carried out several airstrikes in Kabul and Paktika provinces, and the Islamic Emirate took a strong stance in return.

 

International reports indicate that Turkey and Qatar are trying to turn the current ceasefire into a sustainable mechanism, including the establishment of a "joint monitoring mechanism" on the border lines.

 

Pakistani media reported that Islamabad had said there was a possibility of "more extensive military action" if the talks failed.

 

There is also widespread discussion on Pakistani social media about the continued return of Afghan refugees, part of which is linked to the border situation.

 

According to experts, the recent tone of Pakistani officials shows that Islamabad is simultaneously engaged in political and military pressure to force the Islamic Emirate to take practical action against opposition groups. Studies show that if the November 6 summit fails to establish a joint implementation framework and monitoring system for the ceasefire, there is a possibility of a return to border tensions and even an escalation of conflict. According to observers, the role of mediation between Qatar and Turkey is seen as vital in maintaining a channel of dialogue between the two sides.