ISLAMABAD – A high-level delegation from Turkiye is scheduled to visit Islamabad next week to discuss escalating tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban regime, aiming to explore a peaceful resolution, The News reported on Saturday. The delegation, confirmed by Turkiye’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Irfan Neziroglu, will include the Turkish intelligence chief and key ministers, including Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar.
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The planned visit follows talks earlier this month in Istanbul between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which ended without agreement due to the Taliban government’s reluctance to act against terrorist groups operating from its soil. Dr. Neziroglu emphasized that Turkiye seeks to prevent any cross-border terrorism and hopes for a “brotherly” relationship between the two neighboring countries.
Tensions escalated after an unprovoked attack on Pakistan by Taliban forces and India-backed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on October 12. Pakistan’s armed forces retaliated, killing over 200 militants while 23 Pakistani soldiers were martyred. Security forces also carried out precision strikes in Afghanistan’s Kandahar and Kabul, as well as in border areas of North and South Waziristan, destroying multiple militant strongholds.
A temporary ceasefire had been agreed upon during Doha talks on October 19, and further meetings in Istanbul aimed to establish a mechanism to curb cross-border terrorism. However, the Istanbul talks failed to deliver the desired outcomes, as Islamabad claims Kabul focused on maligning Pakistan rather than addressing its core concerns.
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Dr. Neziroglu expressed Turkiye’s determination to facilitate dialogue and ensure that Afghan soil is not used for terrorism targeting Pakistan. The upcoming visit underscores Turkiye’s active role in mediating regional security and fostering peace between Islamabad and Kabul.