Afghan and Pakistani negotiators are set to resume ceasefire talks in İstanbul on Thursday in a bid to prevent renewed fighting following the deadliest clashes between the neighbors in years.
Relations between the two countries have sharply deteriorated since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of sheltering militant groups responsible for cross-border attacks — allegations the Taliban government denies.
The latest hostilities began after explosions in Kabul on October 9, which the Taliban blamed on Pakistan, prompting Afghan forces to launch retaliatory border attacks. The ensuing fighting killed more than 70 people, including civilians, and wounded hundreds.
Both sides agreed to a ceasefire on October 19 mediated by Turkey and Qatar, but key details remain unresolved. A tense round of talks in İstanbul last week ended with a decision to extend the truce and reconvene Thursday to finalize a “monitoring and verification mechanism” to oversee its implementation, according to Turkish officials.
Negotiators are expected to focus on enforcement measures and penalties for violations, but mistrust remains high. Each side has accused the other of acting in bad faith and warned that any collapse of the truce could lead to another outbreak of violence.
Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has accused Kabul of acting as a “proxy” for India, while the Taliban has condemned Pakistani airstrikes on its territory as violations of Afghan sovereignty. The border between the two countries has been closed for weeks, halting trade and stranding thousands of people.
The 2,600-kilometer (1,600-mile) frontier — known as the Durand Line — remains one of South Asia’s most volatile flashpoints. Afghanistan’s Taliban government does not recognize the line as an international boundary, while Pakistan regards it as legally established.
Turkey and Qatar, which brokered the initial ceasefire, say they remain committed to facilitating dialogue. Ankara, in particular, has positioned itself as a mediator and host for both countries, emphasizing its ties to the broader Muslim world and its experience in peace diplomacy.
© Agence France-Presse