ISTANBUL: The mediators involved in the talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan have endorsed Pakistan’s stance based on the provided evidence and will be discussing Islamabad’s demands with the Afghan Taliban, sources said on Friday.
The Pakistan delegation handed over its evidence-based, justified, and logical demands to the mediators with the singular aim of putting an end to cross-border terrorism, the sources said.
The mediators fully endorsed Pakistan’s stance on the basis of the provided evidence as well as tenets of international law and principles, they added.
The mediators are discussing Pakistan’s demands point by point with the Afghan Taliban delegation.
Any other information circulating on social media, especially on Afghan accounts, is either pure speculation or deliberate disinformation, the sources added.
What is the conflict?
The conflict centers on Pakistan’s demand that Afghanistan prevent the use of its territory by terrorist groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) to carry out attacks against Pakistan.
The situation has strained relations between the two neighboring countries, with recent border skirmishes resulting in casualties on both sides.
Several rounds of talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan have taken place.
Previous talks
The first round of talks was held in Doha on Oct. 18-19, where an initial ceasefire agreement was reached with mediation from Türkiye and Qatar. The second round took place in Istanbul from Oct. 25 to 30 to strengthen and extend the ceasefire.
A principal-level meeting began on Thursday in Istanbul to finalize further implementation details.
Recent exchange of fire
A brief exchange of fire along the Chaman-Spin Boldak border crossing coincided with the ongoing talks, with Pakistan’s information ministry, in a post of X, rejecting Afghan claims that Pakistani forces opened fire first.
Afghanistan’s interim government, however, offered a different account. Afghan Taliban spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, claimed the firing started from the Pakistan side.
Police in Chaman confirmed to Pakistan TV Digital that Pakistani border units returned fire after the initial shots but reported no casualties on either side.
The exchange was brief and did not disrupt movement in nearby civilian areas, a police official said.
