Pakistan has expressed its readiness to resume talks with Afghanistan at the request of mediators Türkiye and Qatar with the next round expected to take place soon in Istanbul.

Sources said the Pakistani delegation, which was earlier preparing to return, will now stay in Istanbul longer following a decision to give peace another chance. The discussions will focus on Pakistan’s central demand that Afghanistan take clear, verifiable, and effective action against terrorist groups operating from its soil.

Officials reiterated that Afghan territory must not be used for terrorism against Pakistan, and that its resources must not support such activities. Islamabad’s position remains firm that terrorism originating from Afghan soil is unacceptable under any circumstances.

According to diplomatic sources, the Afghan side has shown initial signs of flexibility, acknowledging that Pakistan will not back down from its national security stance. Islamabad, however, maintains its security red lines, emphasizing they cannot be influenced by pressure, propaganda, or diplomatic maneuvers.

Pakistan demands concrete guarantees

Pakistani officials have clarified that Islamabad seeks meaningful and results-oriented talks, not discussions for the sake of optics. “We want concrete guarantees regarding cross-border terrorism,” an official familiar with the talks said.

Pakistan has made it clear that if the Afghan government truly wants regional stability and hopes to avoid further diplomatic isolation, it must take practical steps to eliminate the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant networks.

Sources emphasized that Pakistan will enter the upcoming Istanbul dialogue guided by its principled, sovereign, and national security stance. Officials reaffirmed that there will be no compromise when it comes to safeguarding national defense.

Previous talks ended without breakthrough

Earlier this week, the previous round of Pakistan-Afghanistan talks in Istanbul ended without progress, prompting Islamabad to announce full-scale action against terrorists and their facilitators.

Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed the breakdown of the four-day talks, citing Kabul’s reluctance to act against groups operating from Afghan soil. He said Pakistan had presented “actionable and concrete evidence” of India-backed groups such as Fitna-ul-Khawarij (TTP) and Fitna-ul-Hindustan (BLA), but the Afghan side failed to offer actionable assurances.

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Tarar said the mediators—Qatar and Turkey—acknowledged the evidence, yet Kabul provided no practical commitment. “Our efforts proved futile due to continued support of anti-Pakistan terrorists by the Afghan Taliban,” he added.

Pakistan has repeatedly protested against cross-border operations by Indian-backed terrorist organizations, urging implementation of Doha Agreement pledges.

Khawaja Asif issues strong warning

Following the failed talks, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif issued a strong warning, stating that Pakistan entered the Istanbul process “on the request of brotherly countries” to give peace a chance. However, he cautioned that Islamabad’s restraint should not be mistaken for weakness.

“Pakistan does not need to use even a fraction of its full arsenal to completely obliterate the Taliban regime,” Asif warned in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Referencing historical conflicts, Asif said a repeat of the Taliban’s Tora Bora defeat would be “a spectacle to watch” should tensions escalate. He accused the Taliban of sustaining a ‘war economy’ and pushing Afghanistan into another conflict to preserve their rule.