Newsletters
Afghan media reported on Monday that the Afghanistan and Pakistan delegations reached an agreement on multiple issues during technical committee meetings in Istanbul aimed at working out the details of the ceasefire between the two nations.
According to Tolo News, a media outlet based in Kabul, Afghanistan's capital, informed sources said the delegations from both countries have reached an agreement on many matters during the Istanbul technical committee meeting held to work out ceasefire details.
The unnamed sources indicated that the Afghanistan and Pakistan delegations reached an agreement on numerous issues at the Istanbul meeting, with other matters expected to be clarified by day's end as negotiations continued.
Sources noted that negotiations were expected to continue into the evening hours, with both sides planning to issue a joint statement upon conclusion of talks in Istanbul.
The joint statement following the Afghanistan-Pakistan technical committee meeting is expected to address a ceasefire extension, the reopening of roads between the two countries, prisoner releases, the location and timing of future meetings, and other outstanding issues, according to sources familiar with the matter speaking to the Afghan media.
Sources emphasized that the joint statement would cover these critical elements of the ceasefire agreement between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The 48-hour ceasefire announced on Oct. 15 following border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan was extended through the conclusion of negotiations held in Doha between the two countries with the support of Türkiye and Qatar.
Negotiations in Doha included Ibrahim Kalin, head of the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT), who participated at the direction of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The main agenda focused on extending the current ceasefire and resolving recent border clashes.
Following 14 hours of negotiations in Doha, both sides agreed that a technical committee would meet in Istanbul to work out ceasefire details.
According to Pakistani media reports, the Pakistan and Afghanistan delegations met in Istanbul for this purpose.
The current second round of peace talks mediated by Türkiye aims to hammer out a long-term truce, but both sides have offered markedly different interpretations of the talks.
Two Pakistani security sources speaking to Reuters on Monday accused the Afghan Taliban of not cooperating with the dialogue process. "The Pakistani delegation has made it clear that no compromise is possible on our core demands on cross-border terrorism," one of the sources said.
A Taliban delegate to the talks dismissed as "false" the suggestion that the Islamist group was holding up the talks, adding that the discussions were still in progress.
"Overall, the meeting is going well, and we discussed multiple issues in a friendly environment," the person said.
In comments on Monday to state broadcaster RTA, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said, "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan supports dialogue and believes that problems and issues can be resolved through dialogue."
Late on Sunday, Trump repeated an offer to help end the conflict during remarks in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of a regional summit.
"I'll get that solved very quickly; I know them both," the U.S. president said, referring to leaders of both nations.
"I have no doubt we are going to get that done quickly," Trump added.
Speaking at a Southeast Asian summit on Monday, Trump said he had heard Pakistan and Afghanistan had started negotiations. "But I'm going to make sure it gets solved very quickly," he told reporters.
Trump characterized Pakistani leaders as "great people" and expressed confidence in his ability to facilitate a resolution. "Pakistan and Afghanistan have started talks, but I will solve this very quickly," the president said.
The border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan represent the worst violence since the Taliban seized power in Kabul in 2021.
The conflict has escalated tensions between the two South Asian neighbors, prompting international mediation efforts.
The ceasefire brokered in Doha reflects a commitment by both nations to resolve disputes through dialogue, with Türkiye and Qatar playing key roles in facilitating negotiations.
1 min read
2 min read
