Istanbul — Delegations from Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government and Pakistan are set to meet in Istanbul on Thursday for a new round of high level talks, Turkish officials confirmed, according to TOLOnews. The meeting aims to advance ongoing negotiations intended to ease months of tension between the neighboring countries.
Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said discussions would focus on the “implementation framework” of understandings reached during previous rounds, though details remain limited. Ankara, which has hosted several such dialogues in the past, is again mediating the process.
As of Wednesday, both Kabul and Islamabad had yet to formally announce who will represent them at the talks; a point that has drawn skepticism from observers. “The Afghan government wants Pakistan to send a delegation with real authority to make decisions,” said political analyst Samiullah Ahmadi, noting that previous Pakistani representatives “lacked the mandate to act.”
The second round of negotiations, held earlier this year, was marked by mutual accusations of incompetence and delays, though it eventually produced an extension of a fragile ceasefire. Analysts say this next session will be crucial to determining whether the dialogue can move beyond procedural disputes toward substantive progress.
“Both sides need to agree on practical mechanisms that can resolve issues rather than repeat the same points,” said Najib-ur-Rahman Shamal, a Kabul based political expert.
While expectations remain cautious, diplomats say even a modest breakthrough could help reduce cross-border tensions that have flared in recent months over security concerns and trade disruptions. The talks are scheduled to begin Thursday, November 6, with observers expecting at least two days of discussions.
