ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani delegation in Istanbul has presented its final position to the Afghan Taliban, emphasizing that continued patronage of terrorists is unacceptable, security sources said on Sunday.
“The ongoing support and shelter for terrorists by the Taliban is not acceptable,” a senior Pakistani security official said. “Concrete and verifiable steps will have to be taken by the Taliban regime to eliminate cross-border terrorism from and inside Afghanistan.”
Security sources said the demands presented by Pakistan were clear, evidence-based, and formulated to address the core issue directly. They added that Pakistan conveyed there would be no compromise on its central security concerns.
According to the sources, the Pakistani side provided intelligence showing the presence and operations of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) inside Afghanistan, including safe havens and leadership protection. “The Taliban were urged to take decisive action against these groups and end the provision of safe havens,” a security source stated.
However, the sources said the Afghan Taliban’s arguments were “illogical and contrary to observable ground realities,” raising questions about their approach. “It seems that the Taliban are following someone else’s agenda,” a security official said.
“This agenda is not in the interest of Afghanistan, Pakistan, or the broader region.”
Security sources also indicated that the Taliban delegation’s “stubbornness, lack of seriousness, and non-cooperation” had become clear to all parties involved, including the host country.
The host government is continuing to make efforts to ensure the Afghan side understands the evidence and engages responsibly. “Further progress depends on the Taliban adopting a positive and constructive attitude,” the sources noted.
The current talks in Istanbul follow a meeting held in Doha last week, where both sides agreed to a ceasefire after several days of cross-border clashes.
According to intelligence sources, the Istanbul discussions lasted about nine hours and sought to move toward a verifiable mechanism to prevent militant movement, reaffirm mutual respect for territorial sovereignty, and address related matters involving trade, refugee repatriation, and the separation of bilateral issues from internal political pressures.
The talks are taking place amid a recent surge in militant incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including attacks in Central Kurram and Dera Ismail Khan, in which at least 28 Pakistani security personnel, including senior officers, were martyred. In response, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif announced that Pakistan would send a delegation to Kabul, citing what he described as “unbearable” security conditions.
The Istanbul round forms part of a wider effort led by Qatar and Türkiye to preserve the ceasefire and reduce tensions along the Pakistan–Afghanistan frontier. The process follows a temporary 48-hour truce declared on October 15 and extended during the Doha talks.
Security sources stressed that the responsibility for meaningful progress now lies with the Afghan Taliban. “What happens next will determine the stability of the region,” a senior Pakistani official said.
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