Pakistani media reports say that the country’s top demand during talks with the Taliban in Istanbul was focused on curbing militant attacks launched from Afghanistan’s soil.
According to multiple Pakistani outlets, including The Express Tribune, the Pakistani delegation presented several proposals to the Taliban during negotiations in Turkey. While those proposals are reportedly still under review by the Taliban, sources say Islamabad’s central demand was for concrete action against cross-border infiltration and attacks allegedly carried out by militant groups sheltering in Afghanistan.
The talks, which concluded Saturday in Istanbul, marked the second round of bilateral security dialogue between Taliban and Pakistani officials in recent weeks. The meetings were hosted with the mediation of the Turkish government and focused on mechanisms for enhancing border security, counterterrorism cooperation, and reducing regional militant threats.
Citing unnamed officials, The Express Tribune reported that while the relocation or removal of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters was not formally prioritized during this round, Pakistani officials underscored the urgency of dismantling safe havens used by TTP and other armed groups such as the Gul Bahadur network.
Pakistan conveyed what one official described as a “clear and firm position,” insisting that the Taliban administration take decisive steps to remove militant sanctuaries operating within Afghanistan’s borders. Islamabad blames TTP, a banned Pakistani militant group, for a surge in deadly attacks targeting Pakistani security forces in recent months — attacks it claims are being coordinated from Afghan territory.
The Taliban have denied supporting or sheltering TTP fighters and have called the group’s presence in Afghanistan an internal matter. However, the lack of enforcement or visible action against the group has strained ties between Kabul and Islamabad since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021.
Pakistani officials, according to the reports, are now awaiting a “clear and formal response” from the Taliban side. Both delegations are expected to continue discussions in the coming days to finalize a proposed framework for joint border security and counterterrorism coordination.
Tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border have intensified in recent months, with repeated cross-border skirmishes, border closures, and mass deportations of undocumented Afghan migrants from Pakistan adding to the friction. Islamabad has said Taliban have failed to act against groups that target Pakistan from Afghan soil, while the Taliban have pushed back against what it calls unilateral security measures by Pakistan.
The outcome of these talks could play a significant role in determining how both sides navigate their fragile relationship, especially as regional powers — including Turkey, China, and Iran — urge stronger cooperation on security and counterterrorism.
