ISLAMABAD – Pakistan expressed optimism on Friday that the upcoming Istanbul round of talks with Afghanistan will lead to the creation of a verifiable monitoring mechanism to curb cross-border terrorism originating from Afghan soil.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi, during his first weekly media briefing, said Pakistan looks forward to “a concrete and verifiable mechanism” emerging from the meeting hosted by Turkiye on October 25, 2025, to address terrorist attacks targeting Pakistan.
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The Istanbul meeting follows the first round of Qatar- and Turkiye-mediated talks in Doha earlier this month, which resulted in a permanent ceasefire and a commitment to reconvene to develop a structured framework for peace and security.
“The Doha talks and outcomes were fruitful, and we hope the trend continues in Istanbul,” Andrabi stated. He confirmed that Pakistan is participating with “sincerity of purpose and intent” to ensure lasting regional peace.
The Afghan side has also confirmed attendance, with spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid saying that a delegation led by Mawlawi Rahmatullah Najeeb, deputy minister for the interior, had left Kabul for Istanbul.
The Istanbul round aims to move beyond the temporary truce by developing a verification-based peace framework addressing issues such as terrorism, migration, and border security. Turkiye’s role, officials said, builds on its counterterrorism experience and close cooperation with Pakistan, offering credibility and practical insights.
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Pakistan’s delegation is expected to push for tangible guarantees from Kabul to dismantle Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) sanctuaries, arrest key figures, and establish intelligence-sharing and real-time monitoring mechanisms. Islamabad also supports a third-party oversight structure, co-chaired by Turkiye and Qatar, to ensure transparency and compliance.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office confirmed that Afghan transit trade remains suspended due to ongoing security evaluations, though it remains a topic of discussion between the two sides.