Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have agreed to continue the ongoing ceasefire following a fresh round of negotiations, as both sides work to de-escalate recent tensions along their shared border. The decision was announced in a joint statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, confirming that the next round of peace talks will take place in Istanbul on November 6.
According to the statement, the next phase of discussions will focus on finalizing a formal ceasefire agreement, with clear mechanisms to penalize any party found violating the truce. Both delegations reportedly expressed a commitment to pursuing a “sustainable framework for peace, stability, and mutual respect.”
The talks come against the backdrop of recent cross-border clashes that flared up earlier this month between Pakistani security forces and militants operating from Afghan territory. These skirmishes, which erupted near the Torkham and Chaman border regions, resulted in casualties on both sides and temporarily halted trade and cross-border movement.
Islamabad has consistently accused the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) of using Afghan soil to launch attacks inside Pakistan, a charge the Afghan Taliban government in Kabul has denied. The clashes led to heightened tensions between the two neighbors, prompting multiple diplomatic interventions aimed at restoring calm.
In recent weeks, Qatar and Turkiye have played a pivotal role in mediating dialogue between Islamabad and Kabul. Earlier rounds of talks in Doha brought together senior officials and security representatives from both countries, laying the groundwork for the Istanbul meeting.
Diplomatic sources say that the discussions have centered on border security cooperation, counterterrorism efforts, and the repatriation of armed groups operating in border zones.
Analysts view the continuation of the ceasefire as a positive step toward rebuilding trust, though they caution that lasting peace will depend on verifiable implementation and concrete action against militant groups.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry, in its statement, reiterated Ankara’s readiness to continue facilitating the peace process, emphasizing that “dialogue remains the only viable path to stability in the region.”
If successful, the Istanbul round on November 6 could mark a significant breakthrough in efforts to ease Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions and pave the way for a more structured peace framework between the two countries.
